How to Send Messages to Inmates

You can use your phone or computer to send emails, letters, and photos to an inmate. Messages are sent electronically to inmate tablets or kiosks at the facility. If you would like to send a message, start by searching for an inmate at Maximum Security.

Sending Photos and Postcards

A great way to send love and support to a loved one at Maximum Security is to send photos and postcards. It only takes a few minutes to send photos from your phone and it makes a huge difference. You can also mail postcards with words of support and inspiration, or design your own postcard for special moments like birthdays and holidays.

Important! Be sure not to send any explicit photos or they may not be approved by the facility. You can also use a photo printing app like Penmate to make sure your photos are printed at the correct size (4x6 or 3x5) and are mailed according to the rules and regulations of Maximum Security.

Frequently asked questions about Maximum Security

1. How long does it take to deliver a message?

   If you're sending an email message your letter is usually delivered within 24-48 hours. For messages sent via mail you should expect delivery within 3-7 days. All messages will need be approved by Maximum Security.

2. How much does it cost to send a message to Maximum Security?

   You can send a message free using your phone or mail a message via USPS for the price of a $0.60 stamp and envelope. You can also purchase credits or e-stamps from services starting at $1.99.

3. What services can I use to contact an inmate at Maximum Security?

   Penmate

   You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's an easy way to stay in touch during your loved one's incarceration. Use the inmate locator to find an inmate's location and contact information, then you can send messages within a few minutes.

   Securus messaging

   Securus may be another option for communicating with an inmate at Maximum Security. You can create a friends and family account and purchase credits to send messages. All messages will be reviewed and must be approved by the facility.

   JPay

   Some county jails and state prisons may support sending messages with JPay. You must register an account with the system, find your loved one, and purchase stamps to send messages. For some locations you can also attach photos.

   Smart Jail Mail

   You may also check if Smart Jail Mail is available at Maximum Security. Smart Jail Mail is operated by Smart Communications and has contracted with some state and county jails. After purchasing credits, your messages and photos are sent to the facility, printed out, and then handed out to your loved one.

4. What is the mailing address of Maximum Security?

   Mailing address:

   Maximum Security
   1375 Pontiac Ave
   Cranston, RI 02920
   Phone: (401) 462-3791

   Business hours:

   • Monday: Open 24 hours
   • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
   • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
   • Thursday: Open 24 hours
   • Friday: Open 24 hours
   • Saturday: Open 24 hours
   • Sunday: Open 24 hours

5. What are the visiting hours at Maximum Security?

   Visiting hours at Maximum Security vary by housing unit and security level. Generally, visits are scheduled on weekends and holidays, with some facilities offering weekday visits. Contact the facility directly at (401) 462-3791 or check their website for the current visiting schedule. Visits typically last 30-60 minutes and must be scheduled in advance.

6. What items are prohibited when sending mail to Maximum Security?

   Prohibited items typically include: cash, personal checks, stamps, stickers, glitter, glue, tape, staples, paperclips, polaroid photos, musical or blank greeting cards, hardcover books, magazines with staples, and any items containing metal or electronics. Only send letters on plain white paper with blue or black ink. Photos must be printed on regular photo paper (no Polaroids). Always check with Maximum Security for their specific mail policies.

7. How do I send money to an inmate at Maximum Security?

   You can send money to an inmate at Maximum Security through several methods: 1) Online using JPay, Access Corrections, or the facility's approved vendor, 2) Money orders mailed directly to the facility with the inmate's name and ID number, 3) Kiosks located in the facility lobby, or 4) Over the phone using a credit or debit card. Fees vary by method, typically ranging from $2.95 to $11.95 per transaction.

8. Can I schedule a video visit with an inmate at Maximum Security?

   Many facilities now offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. At Maximum Security, video visits may be available through services like Penmate, Securus Video Connect, GTL, or ICSolutions. Video visits typically cost $10-20 for 20-30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. You'll need a computer or smartphone with a camera and reliable internet connection. Contact the facility for their specific video visitation policies and approved vendors.

9. What identification do I need to visit an inmate at Maximum Security?

   All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide the minor's birth certificate. Some facilities require visitors to be on the inmate's approved visitation list, which may require a background check. Contact Maximum Security for specific ID requirements and visitor approval procedures.

10. How can I find out an inmate's release date?

    To find an inmate's release date at Maximum Security, you can: 1) Use the online inmate search tool if available, 2) Call the facility's records department, 3) Contact the inmate's case manager or counselor, or 4) Have the inmate provide this information during a call or visit. For privacy reasons, some facilities only release this information to immediate family members.

Programs & Services

The Maximum Security Facility operates extensive work programs that employ approximately 190 inmates across diverse areas including kitchen operations, laundry services, barbershop maintenance, library support, and porter duties throughout housing modules and recreation areas. The facility's industries program features both a print shop and carpenter shop, providing inmates with valuable vocational training while supporting institutional operations. These work assignments serve as stepping stones for inmates preparing for classification to lower security levels through active participation in rehabilitative programming.

Educational and personal development services at the facility may include basic literacy programs, GED preparation, and life skills training designed to support the diverse population of long-term inmates and those transferred for disciplinary reasons. The facility typically offers substance abuse counseling, anger management courses, and cognitive behavioral programming to address the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior. Mental health services are often available to support inmates dealing with the challenges of extended incarceration, while religious services and recreational activities in the gymnasium and yard areas provide additional outlets for personal growth and stress management.

Visitation services include video visitation options, allowing families to maintain crucial connections during incarceration. The facility may also provide access to legal resources through its library system, along with potential partnerships for job placement assistance and transitional support services as inmates work toward eventual release or transfer to lower security facilities. These comprehensive programs work together to create pathways for rehabilitation within the structured environment of Rhode Island's oldest operational correctional facility.

Daily Life & Visitation

Behind the walls and observation towers of Rhode Island's oldest operational prison, approximately 297 inmates follow structured daily routines that blend security protocols with rehabilitative opportunities. The Maximum Security Facility, operating since 1878 with its distinctive Auburn-style architecture, houses inmates in six housing areas where days typically begin with early morning counts and meal service in the central kitchen and dining area.

Work assignments form a cornerstone of the daily experience, with around 190 inmates employed across various facility operations. Inmates may work in the kitchen preparing meals for the population, operate equipment in the laundry facility, provide services in the barber shop, assist in the library, or serve as porters maintaining cleanliness in housing modules and recreation areas. The industries area offers additional employment through the print shop and carpenter shop, providing inmates with practical skills and structured daily activities. These work programs often begin in the morning hours and continue throughout much of the day, creating routine and purpose within the facility's secure environment.

Family connections remain vital through the facility's video visitation system, though current schedules indicate that visitor photograph services are temporarily suspended. Visitation typically occurs on designated days with specific time slots, allowing inmates to maintain important relationships with loved ones. Recreation time in the yard and activities in the education and gym building provide additional structure to daily life, while participation in rehabilitative programs offers pathways for inmates to potentially transfer to lower security facilities. The facility's comprehensive security measures, including electronic intrusion detection systems, ensure these daily activities occur within a controlled and monitored environment.