How to send messages, photos, and packages
All incoming personal mail at Idaho Correctional Institution is inspected for contraband. Unacceptable items may be returned to you or turned over to authorities. Legal mail works differently—it's opened only in the resident's presence for inspection, not read. You can send letters and photos, but Polaroids and any images with nudity are prohibited. Packages aren't accepted. Don't mail stamps or stationery; residents must buy those through commissary. If someone is indigent, the facility provides stationery and postage for one personal letter each week. Books and publications must come directly from the publisher or an IDOC-approved vendor with a receipt or invoice—Amazon isn't approved. Softcover size limits apply. Use the exact addressing format (committed name and IDOC number, housing unit, facility line, and the facility P.O. Box in Boise, ID 83707) to avoid delays.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Sending mail to someone at North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI) is straightforward once you know the right address format and what's allowed. Here's the addressing setup, photo rules that catch people off guard, and what happens when your letter goes through screening.
No. Stamps or stationery sent from outside won’t be accepted—your loved one must purchase them through the commissary.
If the resident is indigent, the facility provides stationery and postage for one personal letter per week.
Yes, photos and letters are allowed, but Polaroids and any photos containing nudity are prohibited. Packages are not accepted.
Sending money to someone at NICI? You'll go through Access Corrections, Idaho Department of Correction's partner for resident trust deposits. Here's a breakdown of your options—whether you need speed, want to pay with cash, or are trying to avoid fees.
Getting approved to visit at NICI takes some planning upfront, but the process is straightforward once you know the steps. Here's how to apply, what to expect, and when you'll hear back.
Sending a book to someone in an Idaho prison is doable, but the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) has strict rules about where books come from and how big they can be. Follow the vendor and format requirements from the start, and your order is much more likely to arrive without issues.
