Hey Everyone!

I hope all is well. I got some questions about write to Pelican Bay and I thougth I would ask here first.

First off:

What am I allowed to send in a letter? Can I send a homemade card? I recently found out that some facilities don't allow stickers or glitter so I was wondering what should I watch out for when I make these cards.

Second:

The back of the envelope was stamped PBSP Indigent Envelopes. I know what indigent means but why do they stamp the back of the envelope? Does the inmate get them like this or does this happen once the letter is sent to be mailed.

Third:

Is there anything else that I should know about PB? I don't want to do something that would inadverntly put the inmate into trouble. I have heard alot about this facility and I dont want to do something that would be ok in another facility but not here (Like taping the back on an envelope is ok but no tape on letters inside, just learned that one)

thanks a bunch!

My understanding is that Pelican Bay is a maximum security penitentiary specifically designed to house inmates with active gang affiliations. As such, regulations will be strictly enforced on all items going in and out of there. I would ask your pen pal to let you know what can be sent in and what is not permitted. There will be even more restrictions placed on him if he is currently in Ad Seg or SHU as opposed to mainline.

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

Ok. Did not know that. Hmm.

i do write someone in pelican bay but it's such a short time so i can't help you with that.
look on their website it will answer some of your quistions.

CDCR - Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP)

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be nice to the people on your way up,because you will meet them again on your way down

My pp isn't at PB but he is in a maximum security prison. They do not allow glitter or stickers also. I keep letters plain and simple for the most part. The best thing is to follow asha's advice and ask your pp what you can and can't write about. Onto your second question, all the letters I get from my pp are stamped also but I believe they do it after the inmate drops them in the mail, mainly for people on the outside to know what they are receiving.

PBSP indigent envelop, I think just means that the PP you are writing to has no money... indigent is what they call inmates who have no money and receive their supplies from the prison. That`s all I think that means...

Amymel is correct as far as I know envelopes are prestamped and given out to those who have no money on the books or family that sends in funds. Some get three per week others less. Some prison law libraries are the source and I think they are stamped so they are not used for other purposes.

sorry to kick this topic up,
I got a pp at PB, I can send cards, and letters. stamped envelopes, and stamps. thats what my pp told me, other stuff is a bit difficult and probarly event allowed.
also mine evelope get stamped with PBSP indigent envelopes. I think what anymel is saying is correct

MerrillC,

Thanks for kicking this one up! I know this isn't quite on topic but I just found out that my pp, in the SHU, doesn't even see the stamps on the envelopes or postcards I send. The mail room removes them.

Hard for me to hear as I sent country specific stamps on my postcards from my trip to Europe, business before anyone jumps on that and they were removed.

Sad but true, PB is not easy to say the least.

Mellie, oops, my apologies! Thanks for kicking this one up, misread and thought it was MerrillC.

Again, apologies Mellie and thanks for kicking it up.