Does anyone know what can be sent to an inmate in a Federal facility other than cards, letters, etc. I am thinking gift wise.

The federal bureau of prisons website is BOP: Federal Bureau of Prisons Web Site. The following is directly from that site.

"For security, safety, and sanitation reasons, the Bureau limits the amount of property (jewelry, photographs, books, magazines, etc.) inmates may have and the types of publications inmates can receive. The institution issues clothing, hygiene items, and bedding, and provides laundry services. Inmates may purchase other personal care items, shoes, some recreational clothing, and some food items through the commissary. Civilian clothing (i.e., clothing not issued to the inmate by the Bureau or purchased by the inmate from the commissary) ordinarily is not authorized for retention by the inmate.

The only packages an inmate may receive from home are those containing release clothing. Release clothing packages may only be received with prior approval by the inmate's unit team or authorized staff member within the last 30 days of confinement.

Inmates may only possess those items they are authorized to retain upon admission to the institution, items issued by authorized staff, items purchased by the inmate from the commissary, or items purchased or received through approved channels (to include that approved for receipt by an authorized staff member or authorized by institution guidelines). All other items are considered contraband and will be seized and disposed of (destroyed, mailed out of the institution at the inmate's expense, etc.) in accordance with Bureau regulations. Contraband that threatens the security of the institution may result in disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution for the inmate."

Your penpal is made aware of all rules that apply to them and is your best source about what's allowed or not allowed for them!

Also each federal prison limits how many of each item (letter, magazine, newspaper, photos, ect.) an inmate is allowed at a specific time. One of my pp's send his letters and such home at the end of each month or every couple weeks depending on how much he received that month or week. So that he doesn't loose his letters or photos. I know for him, he can't have anything other than those listed above. He is allowed to wear his wedding band and one necklace with a cross on it. NOthing else.

When I called a federal prison this week, I was told letters, cards, magazine subscriptions and books only and not all books were allowed. The lady also said, "It's best to ask the inmate because they know better than the staff what they're allowed to have."

Kinda ruins the element of surprise, huh?

They are not allowed to have too much from the outside; letters, cards, magazine subscriptions, newspaper subscriptions, and books. Books, magazines, and newspapers must come directly from distributor. I know I order books through Amazon.com and my husband gets them just fine. Everything else they must purchase thru the store there at the prison.

Thanks to everyone for your help. It is much appreciated.

Sorry to sound a complete "duh" but what's the difference between federal prison and "normal" prison?!

In the US you have Federal Prisons which are run by the Federal Government. You also have State prisons which are run by individual states.

So which would be the better of the 2 state or federal when i say better I meant more lienient in terms of rules and regulations etc.....

__________________
windygirl

to answer the question of what to send - they are very picky. Meaning the federal prison. PLEASE DON'T SEND PICTURES of the prison or landscaping. That is a no no. LOL

Which is better? I have been on this board for a couple of days, LOL and I think that the Federal Prison are better.

Sincerely,

Fran