Reaching out to a cannabis prisoner. Guidelines and list of POW's.
Cannabis POWs love getting mail. However, there are items that prisoners are not permitted.
Mail
General Correspondence
"General correspondence" is opened and inspected by staff for both contraband and content that might threaten the security or good order of the institution.
Sending letters:
Use white envelopes and paper only
Do not use address labels
Don't use staples or paper clips
Never use marker, crayon, glitter, glue, stickers or lipstick on the letter or envelope
Don't use perfume or any other fragrance
Any drawings or markings that can be misconstrued as secret code etc. will result in a refusal
Never write anything in the letters that you wouldn't want a third party to read (all mail is inspected and read by staff)
If your letter is refused/returned you can contact the facility and ask why, but usually, it will have a simple explanation.
Sending photos:
Photos should be no larger than 4"x6"
Always print the inmate's name and ID number on the back of the photo in pen (this helps the mail room staff)
Photos should never contain nudity, sexually suggestive material
Hand gestures and tattoos are often not allowed because it may have gang implications
Only 5 photos can be sent in an envelope with a single stamp at a time, and often times a facility will only allow 3-5 photos
Remember staff and other inmates will be seeing the photo’s provided.
Sending books, magazines, or newspapers to an inmate:
Do not send more than 3 books at a time
All books must be new and soft cover (no hardcover or spiral bound for security reasons)
Always ship USPS
Use the inmate's name and ID number with the facility mailing address
Inmates in solitary cannot receive mail
Inmates may also receive certain commercial publications from the community. The BOP permits an inmate to subscribe to or receive publications without prior approval as long as the incoming publication is not detrimental to the security, discipline, or good order of the institution, or facilitates criminal activity
.Sending Packages
Inmates are not allowed to receive packages from home without prior written approval from the inmate's unit team or authorized staff member at the institution. The only packages an inmate may receive from home are those containing release clothing and authorized medical devices. However, inmates may receive magazines, and hard and paperback books directly from the publisher (For more information see: Policy on Incoming Publications )
Cannabis POWs love getting mail. However, there are items that prisoners are not permitted.
General Correspondence
"General correspondence" is opened and inspected by staff for both contraband and content that might threaten the security or good order of the institution.
Sending letters:
Use white envelopes and paper only
Do not use address labels
Don't use staples or paper clips
Never use marker, crayon, glitter, glue, stickers or lipstick on the letter or envelope
Don't use perfume or any other fragrance
Any drawings or markings that can be misconstrued as secret code etc. will result in a refusal
Never write anything in the letters that you wouldn't want a third party to read (all mail is inspected and read by staff)
If your letter is refused/returned you can contact the facility and ask why, but usually, it will have a simple explanation.
Sending photos:
Photos should be no larger than 4"x6"
Always print the inmate's name and ID number on the back of the photo in pen (this helps the mail room staff)
Photos should never contain nudity, sexually suggestive material
Hand gestures and tattoos are often not allowed because it may have gang implications
Only 5 photos can be sent in an envelope with a single stamp at a time, and often times a facility will only allow 3-5 photos
Remember staff and other inmates will be seeing the photo’s provided.
Sending books, magazines, or newspapers to an inmate:
Do not send more than 3 books at a time
All books must be new and soft cover (no hardcover or spiral bound for security reasons)
Always ship USPS
Use the inmate's name and ID number with the facility mailing address
Inmates in solitary cannot receive mail
Inmates may also receive certain commercial publications from the community. The BOP permits an inmate to subscribe to or receive publications without prior approval as long as the incoming publication is not detrimental to the security, discipline, or good order of the institution, or facilitates criminal activity
.Sending Packages
Inmates are not allowed to receive packages from home without prior written approval from the inmate's unit team or authorized staff member at the institution. The only packages an inmate may receive from home are those containing release clothing and authorized medical devices. However, inmates may receive magazines, and hard and paperback books directly from the publisher (For more information see: Policy on Incoming Publications )
Prisoner names and addresses
