How to Mail Letters and Photos to Someone at Chatham County Jail (why you must use the Atlanta vendor address)

Chatham County Jail requires all non-legal and non-commercial mail to go through JailATM. You can send it electronically through JailATM.com or mail it to the JailATM vendor address in Atlanta. Using the Atlanta vendor address isn't optional for regular letters and photos. It's the only route the facility accepts. Here's the vendor address exactly as the jail provides it: JailATM.com – Chatham County Jail, INMATE ID #: INMATE FULL NAME, 925B Peachtree St. NE, Box 2062, Atlanta, GA 30309. The jail shifted to electronic communications because of safety concerns, including contraband hidden in mailed items. They're strict about using the correct process and address.

1. Get the inmate’s full name: Use their full legal name so the vendor can match it correctly.
2. Add the inmate ID number (DIN): Include the INMATE ID # on the outside of the envelope, along with the name.
3. Write the vendor address exactly: Use this format: JailATM.com – Chatham County Jail, INMATE ID #: INMATE FULL NAME, 925B Peachtree St. NE, Box 2062, Atlanta, GA 30309.
4. Mail it out through USPS: Once it is addressed correctly, send it like regular mail.

The most common mistake? Leaving off the inmate ID number (sometimes called the Defendant Identification Number, or DIN). That number is how the vendor sorts and delivers mail, so write it clearly and put it exactly where the address format shows. Improperly addressed letters may not make it through processing. After August 1, 2020, non-legal and commercial mail that isn't properly addressed will be returned or discarded. Take an extra minute to double-check the name and ID before you seal the envelope.

Sending photos works the same way as letters: mail the physical photographs to the JailATM vendor address. The vendor reviews and scans them, then sends the scanned images to the inmate. Keep your expectations realistic. Your loved one receives the scanned images, not the original prints you mailed.

Once your mail reaches the vendor, it gets processed for electronic delivery. After the item is scanned and delivered to the inmate, the original paper is destroyed. Don't send anything you need back. One-of-a-kind photos, keepsake notes, greeting cards you want saved: keep the originals and send copies. Assume anything you mail in will not be returned.

Don't rely on "Return to Sender" as a backup plan. All letters marked "Return to Sender" will be destroyed if received after Feb. 22, 2021. This is another reason to double-check your addressing. After August 1, 2020, non-legal and commercial mail that isn't properly addressed will be returned or discarded. A small mistake can mean the mail never reaches your loved one, and you won't get it back either.

Quick Checklist

• ✓ Write the inmate’s full name and INMATE ID # (DIN) clearly.
• ✓ Use the vendor address exactly: JailATM.com – Chatham County Jail, INMATE ID #: INMATE FULL NAME, 925B Peachtree St. NE, Box 2062, Atlanta, GA 30309.
• ✓ Keep content clean. Prohibited material includes racy or pornographic images.
• ✓ Do not include pictures or descriptions of illegal activities.
• ✓ Do not include material showing self-defense tactics, locksmith instructions, escape techniques, or similar items deemed hazardous by staff.
• ✓ Recheck addressing before you mail it. After Aug. 1, 2020, non-legal and commercial mail that is not properly addressed will be returned or discarded.