How to Send Mail to Someone at Mobile Metro Jail: The Metered Postcard Rule Explained

Mobile Metro Jail only accepts metered postcards for non-privileged inmate mail. Regular letters won't make it through. And here's a detail that trips people up: postage stamps aren't allowed on this type of mail. A stamped postcard is not the same as a metered postcard.

The jail is specific about what counts as a metered postcard. It must be rectangular and no larger than 4 x 6 inches. Oversized or oddly shaped cards get refused.

Addressing

• ✓ Put a complete return address on the postcard: your full name, street address, city, state, and zip code
• ✓ Address it to the inmate using their full name (no nicknames)
• ✓ Include the inmate’s date of birth if you know it, using the format shown by the jail (example: “DOB: 01/01/90”)

Use the inmate’s full legal name exactly as it appears in jail records. Nicknames can cause delays or a return to sender. Adding the date of birth (if you know it) helps staff match your postcard to the right person, especially when more than one inmate has a similar name.

Anything other than a metered postcard won't meet Mobile Metro Jail's format requirements for non-privileged mail. That includes postcards larger than 4 x 6 inches or cards that aren't rectangular. Padded envelopes are specifically banned, so even harmless contents get refused if the packaging is wrong. Stamps are another common issue: incoming non-privileged mail cannot have postage stamps, only metered postage.

1. Mail is received: Items arrive at the jail for processing.
2. Non-legal mail is opened and inspected: Mail that is not clearly identified as legal mail is opened and inspected before delivery.
3. Non-compliant items are refused: If it is not in the metered-postcard format, it can be rejected. Padded envelopes are not accepted.
4. Compliant postcards are delivered: Metered postcards that meet the format rules can move forward to the inmate.

When contraband arrives through the mail and it's not a criminal offense, the jail holds it for ten calendar days. This is another reason to keep things simple and stick to the postcard format.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Send non-privileged mail only as a metered postcard, not a letter
• ✓ Do not use postage stamps for incoming non-privileged inmate mail
• ✓ Keep the postcard rectangular and no larger than 4 x 6 inches
• ✓ Include your full return address (full name, street address, city, state, zip code)
• ✓ Use the inmate’s full name (no nicknames) and add their DOB (example format: “DOB: 01/01/90”) if you know it
• ✓ Do not use padded envelopes, they are not accepted