How to Send Messages to Inmates

You can use your phone or computer to send emails, letters, and photos to an inmate. Messages are sent electronically to inmate tablets or kiosks at the facility. If you would like to send a message, start by searching for an inmate at Alger Maximum Correctional.

Sending Photos and Postcards

A great way to send love and support to a loved one at Alger Maximum Correctional is to send photos and postcards. It only takes a few minutes to send photos from your phone and it makes a huge difference. You can also mail postcards with words of support and inspiration, or design your own postcard for special moments like birthdays and holidays.

Important! Be sure not to send any explicit photos or they may not be approved by the facility. You can also use a photo printing app like Penmate to make sure your photos are printed at the correct size (4x6 or 3x5) and are mailed according to the rules and regulations of Alger Maximum Correctional.

Frequently asked questions about Alger Maximum Correctional

1. How long does it take to deliver a message?

   If you're sending an email message your letter is usually delivered within 24-48 hours. For messages sent via mail you should expect delivery within 3-7 days. All messages will need be approved by Alger Maximum Correctional.

2. How much does it cost to send a message to Alger Maximum Correctional?

   You can send a message free using your phone or mail a message via USPS for the price of a $0.60 stamp and envelope. You can also purchase credits or e-stamps from services starting at $1.99.

3. What services can I use to contact an inmate at Alger Maximum Correctional?

   Penmate

   You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's an easy way to stay in touch during your loved one's incarceration. Use the inmate locator to find an inmate's location and contact information, then you can send messages within a few minutes.

   Securus messaging

   Securus may be another option for communicating with an inmate at Alger Maximum Correctional. You can create a friends and family account and purchase credits to send messages. All messages will be reviewed and must be approved by the facility.

   JPay

   Some county jails and state prisons may support sending messages with JPay. You must register an account with the system, find your loved one, and purchase stamps to send messages. For some locations you can also attach photos.

   Smart Jail Mail

   You may also check if Smart Jail Mail is available at Alger Maximum Correctional. Smart Jail Mail is operated by Smart Communications and has contracted with some state and county jails. After purchasing credits, your messages and photos are sent to the facility, printed out, and then handed out to your loved one.

4. What is the mailing address of Alger Maximum Correctional?

   Mailing address:

   Alger Maximum Correctional
   N6141 Industrial Park Dr
   Munising, MI 49862
   Phone: (906) 387-5000

   Business hours:

   • Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
   • Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
   • Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
   • Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
   • Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
   • Saturday: Closed
   • Sunday: Closed

5. What are the visiting hours at Alger Maximum Correctional?

   Visiting hours at Alger Maximum Correctional vary by housing unit and security level. Generally, visits are scheduled on weekends and holidays, with some facilities offering weekday visits. Contact the facility directly at (906) 387-5000 or check their website for the current visiting schedule. Visits typically last 30-60 minutes and must be scheduled in advance.

6. What items are prohibited when sending mail to Alger Maximum Correctional?

   Prohibited items typically include: cash, personal checks, stamps, stickers, glitter, glue, tape, staples, paperclips, polaroid photos, musical or blank greeting cards, hardcover books, magazines with staples, and any items containing metal or electronics. Only send letters on plain white paper with blue or black ink. Photos must be printed on regular photo paper (no Polaroids). Always check with Alger Maximum Correctional for their specific mail policies.

7. How do I send money to an inmate at Alger Maximum Correctional?

   You can send money to an inmate at Alger Maximum Correctional through several methods: 1) Online using JPay, Access Corrections, or the facility's approved vendor, 2) Money orders mailed directly to the facility with the inmate's name and ID number, 3) Kiosks located in the facility lobby, or 4) Over the phone using a credit or debit card. Fees vary by method, typically ranging from $2.95 to $11.95 per transaction.

8. Can I schedule a video visit with an inmate at Alger Maximum Correctional?

   Many facilities now offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. At Alger Maximum Correctional, video visits may be available through services like Penmate, Securus Video Connect, GTL, or ICSolutions. Video visits typically cost $10-20 for 20-30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. You'll need a computer or smartphone with a camera and reliable internet connection. Contact the facility for their specific video visitation policies and approved vendors.

9. What identification do I need to visit an inmate at Alger Maximum Correctional?

   All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide the minor's birth certificate. Some facilities require visitors to be on the inmate's approved visitation list, which may require a background check. Contact Alger Maximum Correctional for specific ID requirements and visitor approval procedures.

10. How can I find out an inmate's release date?

    To find an inmate's release date at Alger Maximum Correctional, you can: 1) Use the online inmate search tool if available, 2) Call the facility's records department, 3) Contact the inmate's case manager or counselor, or 4) Have the inmate provide this information during a call or visit. For privacy reasons, some facilities only release this information to immediate family members.

Programs & Services

Within the structured environment of Alger Correctional Facility, those incarcerated encounter a comprehensive array of developmental opportunities designed to cultivate essential skills while maintaining institutional security and safety. The facility's approach emphasizes structured learning pathways that may furnish participants with practical competencies and academic advancement, all delivered within a framework that prioritizes both personal growth and operational stability. These carefully coordinated offerings typically integrate educational components with hands-on training experiences, creating a foundation for meaningful skill development.

Educational and vocational offerings at the facility often include structured education programs that may provide academic instruction across various levels, complemented by distance learning opportunities that expand access to coursework. Furthermore, vocational education components typically encompass specialized training in practical trades and technical skills. The facility may furnish comprehensive food service operations training, which often includes both culinary techniques and institutional food preparation protocols, alongside upholstery instruction that develops detailed craftsmanship abilities and marketable trade skills.

Support services within the institution frequently center on comprehensive reentry preparation, with prisoner reentry initiative components that may address the multifaceted challenges of community transition. These structured support offerings typically integrate practical skill development with guidance on navigating post-release responsibilities, delivered through systematic programming that maintains institutional security protocols. The facility's approach to these support services often emphasizes gradual skill building and structured preparation, ensuring that participants develop competencies within the secure environment while preparing for eventual community reintegration.

Daily Life & Visitation

Family connections and peer relationships form the cornerstone of social life for those incarcerated at this Michigan correctional facility, where maintaining bonds with loved ones and building supportive communities within the housing units helps individuals navigate their daily experiences. Those incarcerated now follow structured routines that regularly incorporate opportunities for meaningful social interaction, from shared meals in the dining halls to recreational activities that foster camaraderie and mutual support among residents.

Living accommodations typically consist of shared cells or dormitory-style housing units where those incarcerated develop close relationships with their roommates and neighbors, creating informal support networks that extend throughout the facility. Furthermore, the dining arrangements bring together individuals from different housing areas during scheduled meal times, allowing for broader social connections while residents share conversations over meals that may include familiar comfort foods alongside institutional fare. Although privacy remains limited in these communal living spaces, many find that the shared experiences help build lasting friendships and mentorship relationships.

Structured programming schedules furnish those incarcerated with various opportunities to engage in educational classes, vocational training, and recreational activities that generally promote both personal growth and community building. Work assignments within the facility typically range from kitchen duties and maintenance tasks to clerical positions, providing residents with purposeful daily activities while developing professional relationships with supervisors and coworkers. Although visitation policies may vary depending on security classifications, the facility usually offers regular visiting hours where families can maintain face-to-face contact, supplemented by telephone privileges and correspondence that help preserve vital connections to the outside world, ensuring that those incarcerated can continue nurturing relationships that often prove essential to successful reintegration.