I just wrote to a girl at the RSCF facility in Michigan today, my first pen pal letter. I sent a 3-page letter with 8 photos and a self-addressed stamped envelope in case she wishes to reply back. All of which i placed in one of those medium sized vanilla envelopes. I'm not sure just how strict the RSCF facility in michigan is in regards to what type of mail a prisoner can receive. In the inmates ad, it stated that a photo was okay to send. I guess my question is, do you think there will be any problem with what i sent or how i sent it ? Being that this is the first time i wrote to a pen pal, i just wanted to make sure that i didn't overdue it.

My experience is that SASE's are NOT allowed inside the prisons. It could be different for her prison, but that's been my experience with that. The pictures should probably be fine but if the SASE is not accepted, everything will be sent back at her expense.

I hope they make an exception for the SASE. If anything, they can just toss it out. I tried to follow her ad as closely as possible and i was under the impression that the SASE is what you would ordinarilly put in so that the inmate could write back without having to pay for the postage. I hope they let it through. I guess the first time you do anything is always considered a learning experience.
If they gave her the letter and the pictures, id be more than happy with that. I have no idea how strict the RSCF facility in michigan is. Thanks for your reply just the same.

For your sake, I hope they let the SASE through. I know that I've been writing my guy for 9 years and the guys in the mail room see my handwriting everyday so you'd think maybe they'd let it slide, or just throw it out and pass on my letter, but nope. I got it all back at the cost of my friend and had to resend the letter alone. If you want to send stamps, it's best to find out from her first if they're allowed, or whether you have to send in a money order for her to purchase stamps inside. There are so many rules, and even after 9 years I'm still learning new ones. Good luck with it all. It really is a great experience.

Jim,
I don't know about that particular prison, but some will allow SASE's and some will not. However, your letter and photographs will more than likely reach your new pen pal. If you happen to send in something that isn't allowed, they usually ask the inmate what they'd rather them do with it. Normally, they have the option of allowing them to throw it away, or sending it back at their expense. This is just how things have been with my experiences anyway. No matter what they do, I am sure that your letter will reach her just fine! ; ) Here's hoping you truly enjoy correspondence with your new friend! *smiles*

Thanks. I appreciate your info. I'd feel terrible if they returned it and then charged her for it. Thats a pretty poor way to say hello to someone. If they send it back, i guess what i could do is just resend the letter and the pictures and thats all. I'll apologize to her for messing it up. I wish there was some standard guidline that they could publish prior to someone writing to an inmate. especially a first timer.

Thanks Gator ... I hope you're right on this one. I feel so stupid. Even if they tossed out the SASE envelope, im fine with that. As long as she gets the letter and the vacation pictures that i sent her id be more than happy with that. If she replies back im sure she'll let me know if anything procedure wise has to get changed. If i hear back from her, i'll let you guys know how i made out. Thanks for all your help on this one !

At the prisons in Michigan, the outgoing mail is metered. So needless to say you wasted the envelope and stamp. I write to someone at the same prison. So you should fnd out here pretty soon about the envelope and stamp situation. And it takes about a week and a half to two weeks to to get a letter back from michigan.

In future, Jim, my advice would be to send no more than 3 photos (some prisons only allow a few pix at a time) and a letter no longer than 5 pages. When the inmate writes back, let them tell you what is and is not allowed. Sometimes it not only differs from state to state or institution to institution, but dorm to dorm! If the person is on confinement, for instance, their mail has tons more restrictions in some areas than if they are in open pop. Good luck and happy writing :-)

On each ad if you will click on the link at the bottom it will take to the justice system website and there is generally loads of info on what is and is not allowed.