What You Can and Can't Mail to an Inmate at USP Coleman 1

At USP Coleman 1, written correspondence falls into two buckets: general mail and special mail. Most everyday letters - personal notes, cards, and typical written communication - are treated as general correspondence.

Special mail works differently. When properly marked, staff can only open it with the inmate present. They'll still inspect it for contraband and verify the contents actually qualify as special mail - so don't think of it as a "no inspection" category. It's just a different process.

Packages from home are where people get tripped up. Inmates at USP Coleman 1 can't receive packages from home unless they have prior written approval from their unit team or another authorized staff member. Send a box without that approval? Expect it to be refused.

Only two exceptions can be sent from home without special permission: release clothing and authorized medical devices. Outside those categories, get written approval first.

Want to send reading material? Follow the publisher-only rule. Magazines, hardcovers, and paperbacks must ship directly from the publisher or an approved vendor - not from a friend or family member's house. Even when sent correctly, publications can still be rejected if they're considered detrimental to security, discipline, or good order of the institution, or if they could facilitate criminal activity.

4

• ✓ Put the inmate’s full name and register number on the envelope, and include any housing information you’ve been given.
• ✓ When ordering books or magazines, make sure the seller ships directly to the facility (publisher or approved vendor) - don’t have it sent to you first.
• ✓ If you’re unsure about the correct mailing format or whether a vendor will ship properly, call the prison facility and ask.