1. Do all of the letters that go to the prisoners get opened in the mailroom?

It would make sense that someone would have to check and make sure no one sent any "fairy dust" etc.

From what I have read, I know you are not supposed to use tape, correction tape, correction fluid????, stickers.... I like making my own cards and have loads of rubberstamps and diecuts. I put a die cut of a telephone on the front of a card with the word Hello stamped on it. I used double stick tape to do this.

2. Will my card get rejected? if so

3. will they return it to me in Hong KOng? (84 cents for airmail)

The reason I am asking is because I sent two of these cards before I came across the rules...it has been over 25 days since I sent them and just wondered if they got tossed.

thanks for any insite.

Yes all the mail is opened before it is passed on.
I know some prisons are more liniant than others about tape correction fluid stuff like that. Depends on the prison.
The cards would also depend on the prison, the one i deal the most with nothing can be taped or glued together, no double layered cards, things like that. If it is rejected the inmate has the choice to return it via their expense or have the prison staff discard it.

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This is also something that I am not too sure on, no wI have looked on the DOC site that would cover my PP's location but I am unable to find anything about what can and cannot be sent.
Is there something specific that I should be looking for? Or am I jsy looking in the wrong place (which for me is also very possible lol)

Jux.

Edit: Ah sod it I looked on the DOC website and could not find anything so I mailed them, see if that solves my problem lol. And make someone else sort my problem out for me YAY power to the people!!!!!

Jux.

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if they feel its not suitible they will send you a pink form that says contraband and tell you why the inmate has the choice to either have it thrown out or pay to have it mailed back

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I did include a self addressed stamped envelope. this was to help the prisoner out with postage. but I now realize that some of the prisons don't allow that either...and yes, I did use US postage stamps on it thanks

Having had worked in a prison before, I can assure you that ALL mail is, in fact, openend. Everything other than 'Legal Mail' that is. If it is Legal Mail, (Something from his attorney, or regarding his case) it is not opened by the mailroom. Instead, it's sent to a central office, where the inmate is called to come and pick it up. Once the inmate has signed for the item, they are made to open it in front of an officer. The officer inspects it, and once he's sure it contains no contraband, he signs off on it and the inmate is allowed to take it back to his housing unit.

As far as regular mail is concerned, it is opened by the mailroom staff, checked for contraband, replaced, and the top of the envelope is taped shut to prevent officers or others who come in contact with the mail, from reading it. It is then delivered to the inmate.

Some things are allowed by one prison, that wouldn't be by another. I don't know what facility your pen pal is in, or their policy on this matter. However, I have found that most WILL allow pictures on the envelopes, colored with colored pencils or markers. Yet, I wouldn't push the glitter too much. I've been able to get glitter through, but in some cases, they won't allow it.

If something is received that cannot be given to your pen pal, it will normally be sent back. However, in some cases, the inmate is given a choice of sending it back at his expense, or having it destroyed. That is what I would most likely believe would happen if your card should be sent back, since it's overseas. I do not know FOR SURE, so don't worry, I could be wrong about THAT. As for the rest of what I've told you, it is from first hand knowledge. But again, each prison, each state, has their own rules, so it could differ from my experience with prisons.

In closing, Next time you choose to send a self- addressed stamped envelope, I'd be sure that it's allowed. I wrote to an inmate a couple of years ago and sent the same. It was sent destroyed, and he was written up for trying to receive contraband! Some prisons will allow you to send them so many stamps per month, or to send them enough money to their accounts for stamps. Again, it's different everywhere. But your friend will know, and can tell you what you can and cannot send.

Sorry this was so long, but I do hope it helped!

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When a friend makes a mistake, a TRUE friend doesn't rub it IN. Instead, like an eraser, he rubs it OUT!

thanks for everyones' replies

one of the penpals is in Ohio, the other is in Texas.

Brokenone, you said that they open everything but then tape the envelope shut......I thought tape was not allowed....or is it because it is controlled within the system and they know it won't have contraband attached to it?

What i did was cut out a little telephone (die cut - piece of paper) and used double stick tape to adhere it to the front of the card...but I can see how this could be used as a way to hide stuff.

Oh well, I guess I won't worry about it...I had also included a separate letter, in each card, so they should have at least gotten that.

Gumby, Putting tape on the envelope is done at some prisons, I don't know about others. But yes, it would be because they know the tape came from within the institution and therefore wouldn't have anything on it. It's not taped across the envelope as we would do it. The letters are cut open by a machine that snips off the very tip top of the envelope. (You should be mindful of this when folding your letters, as often letters can be cut in two) The tape is placed in the middle, from front to back. One could still see the letter inside, but could not read it, or remove items from it. By saying 'remove items from it' I mean that in some prisons, we are allowed to send books of stamps. Therefore, if you sent stamps inside your letter, then someone (perhaps the CO who delivers the mail) could not take the stamps out.

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When a friend makes a mistake, a TRUE friend doesn't rub it IN. Instead, like an eraser, he rubs it OUT!

Hiya.... i fond the rule for Texas is SEND NOTHING!! =]..

Texas is definately one of the strictest prison systems... they have just recently allowed stickers though... so you can send stickers (ON THE PAPER, not on the sticker sheet), Glitter is a funny one too.. if you send glitter on a card use it sparingly.. no blobs of it.. things like that... Basically if you can hide something in it, under it.. etc DONT send it...Tipex.. (correctional fluid) is also a no no most places....

My mams pen friend (YEP I PERSUADED MY MAM TO WRITE 2 PPL LOL) send her cards that he makes him self and they are made using origami.. they are gorgeous... Maybe you could try something like that???

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Good news. She got the card. There was no problem. But I will be mindful of all of the advice you all have given me. Don't want to cause any delays or problems.

- Jennie. I signed the petition on your myspace page. cheers