How to Get Gifts to Prison Inmates

Gifting is significant when loved ones are far away because they're incarcerated. Celebrating special occasions despite the fact your loved one is in prison. A carefully chosen gift means so much when they're away. Continue to express the love to a friend or family member in prison. The tradition offers a connection of love during a difficult time. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Recognize that your options are limited to books, periodical subscriptions, writing pads, stationary, stamps and cash.
2. There are limits on the number of stamps and the amount of cash you can send at one time. Ask your inmate what those are, and be careful not to exceed them.
3. Chose carefully. Materials that could be construed as violent, offensive or sexual in nature will be returned to the sender at the inmate's expense.
4. Make your purchase from a vendor who ships to the inmate via the US Postal Service. All packages must come directly from the vendor. Shipments from individuals or services like UPS and Fed-Ex are refused by prison facilities.
5. Keep your receipt until you're sure your gift arrives. If an item is lost, there's a better chance of getting it replaced.

Tips & Warnings

• The Department of Corrections' in most states have websites. Check them often. The rules are subject to change without notice.
• Don't try to surprise an inmate. Tell them what you've sent and when. This is additional insurance against their gift being lost or misappropriated.
• Prison inmates suffer reprisals when rules are broken. Make sure you know the rules, and follow them to the letter.
• Don't ask the vendor to request a return receipt. The institution will not accept the delivery.
• Some states, like California, have approved vendor lists. Any materials sent from anywhere else will be returned to the sender at the inmate's expense. Ask the prison inmate or contact the institution if in doubt.