Mailing Your First Letter to Chippewa: Address, Photocopy Policy, and JPay
Sending your first letter is straightforward—just format the envelope correctly and know what your loved one will actually receive.
Format your envelope with the prisoner's full name and MDOC number, then the facility address. Here's what works: "Prisoner Name, #MDOC Number" on the first line, "Chippewa Correctional Facility" on the second, then "4269 W. M-80" and "Kincheloe, MI 49784." Make sure both the prisoner's identifying information and the facility address appear clearly on the envelope.
Tip: Not sure of the MDOC number? MDOC provides an example envelope format showing how to write the name and number together.
Your letter won't arrive as the original. At Chippewa, all incoming personal USPS mail - including the envelope - gets photocopied in black-and-white. That photocopy is what's delivered. The original is shredded. So anything you send should be something you're okay with them receiving as a black-and-white copy only.
Good to know: If color matters - photos, artwork, anything visual - send it electronically through JPay instead of USPS.
Want to send photos electronically? You'll use JPay. Create an account, then purchase "stamps" or a subscription to send messages. When attaching photos, follow the formatting rules: one photo per page only, and no collages. Keep it simple - one clear image per page - and you're less likely to hit delays or rejections.
Warning: Photos mailed through USPS get photocopied in black-and-white along with the rest of your letter. If you want your loved one to see actual images - especially in color - use JPay and stick to one photo per page.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Put the prisoner’s name and MDOC number on the envelope every time.
- ✓ Don’t mail anything you expect to get back - your original letter and envelope will be shredded after a black-and-white photocopy is made.
- ✓ Use JPay for photos or anything where color and clarity matter; you’ll need a JPay account and paid stamps/subscription, and photos must be one per page (no collages).
Getting your first letter to Chippewa without issues comes down to two things: correct addressing and realistic expectations. Use the facility address (4269 W. M-80, Kincheloe, MI 49784) and always include the prisoner's name and MDOC number on the envelope. Remember that USPS personal mail gets photocopied in black-and-white - originals are shredded. For photos or anything visual, JPay is usually the better choice. Just purchase stamps or a subscription and follow the one-photo-per-page, no-collage rule.
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