What You Can and Can't Mail to Bay County Jail — Including How Photos Are Handled
Mail rules at Bay County Jail are strict—a lot of everyday items get rejected. This guide covers what's allowed and what isn't, with special attention to photos (originals aren't returned).
Bay County Jail won't accept food or medications through the mail. Greeting cards? Rejected. Same goes for pens, pencils, markers, envelopes, stamps, and stickers. Don't send packages or cash either - neither will make it through.
Want to add money to someone's account by mail? Bay County Jail accepts money orders. Once received, the funds get credited to the inmate's account.
- ✓ Make the money order payable to the inmate
- ✓ Write the inmate’s name and control identification number on the money order
- ✓ Include the purchaser’s name and address
Note: A lobby kiosk accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash for adding funds. There's a service fee, and kiosk transactions aren't refundable.
Photos are allowed, but they have to follow content rules. Nothing offensive or sexual. No gang references. No images of guns, drugs, drug paraphernalia, or intoxicants. Cross any of those lines and the photo gets rejected.
Important: Original photos are discarded after scanning - inmates view them digitally through the kiosk system. Don't mail irreplaceable originals you want back.
All personal mail gets scanned by a third-party service in Phoenix, Maryland. Once approved, inmates receive their correspondence digitally on kiosks or tablets in their dorm - not the original paper.
- Use the inmate’s identifying details - Address the mail with the inmate’s name and housing assignment, plus the booking number, control number, or commissary number.
- Send it to the jail’s mailing address - 5700 Star Lane, Panama City, FL 32405.
Note: The personal mail address changed on November 16, 2022. Before sending anything, confirm you're using the current address and format.
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