Mailing Letters and Photos to Someone at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility: Rules & Checklist
Mail that's addressed wrong—or includes the wrong kind of photos—can get delayed or rejected. Follow the format and checklist below to give your letter the best chance of getting through on the first try.
MDOC requires a specific addressing format for incoming mail. In the
- ✓ Inmate name and MDOC number
- ✓ Current housing unit
- ✓ Institution/facility name
- ✓ Institution/facility street address
- ✓ City, state, ZIP code
You can send up to seven (7) photographs per letter, and each photo must be 5x7 inches or smaller. That limit applies to each envelope separately - so if you're mailing multiple letters, count the photos in each one before sealing.
Tip: Choose your best seven and print them at 5x7 or smaller before mailing. Oversized prints or extra photos can cause problems for the whole envelope.
MDOC also restricts certain types of photos. Even if your letter is addressed correctly and you stay within the count and size limits, pictures in prohibited categories can still be refused. The examples below come directly from MDOC - but they're not exhaustive. Other images may also be rejected.
- ✓ Polaroid photos
- ✓ Nude, half-naked, or explicitly sexual photos
- ✓ Photos showing excessive amounts of cash
- ✓ If you’re not sure a photo will pass, don’t send it
Warning: Including prohibited photos can get the entire envelope withheld - not just the offending image. Keep everything clean.
All incoming mail goes through the mailroom, where staff search and process it before delivery. As part of this process, acceptable items - including photos - may be photocopied instead of delivered in original form. Keep that in mind when deciding what to send.
Note: Since photocopying is routine, don't send original or one-of-a-kind photos you can't replace.
- Write the address in the MDOC-required format - Include the incarcerated person’s name and MDOC number, their current housing unit, the facility name, the facility address, and then city/state/ZIP.
- Count and size your photos before sealing the envelope - No more than seven (7) photos per letter, and each one must be 5x7 inches or smaller.
- Remove anything that’s commonly rejected - Don’t include Polaroids, nude/sexually explicit or half-naked images, or photos showing excessive cash.
- Do a last look for compliance - If a photo feels borderline, swap it out for something clearly acceptable.
- Double-check the latest rules before you mail - Mail policies can change, so confirm you’re following current MDOC and facility guidance.
Reminder: Address format and photo rules are enforced closely, and policies can change. Verify current MDOC/Central Mississippi Correctional Facility mail guidance before sending anything time-sensitive.
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