Sending mail to someone at Montgomery County Correctional Facility: complete guide
Mail is one of the most reliable ways to stay connected with someone at MCCF—as long as you address it correctly and follow the facility's rules. Here's how to format your envelope, avoid common mistakes that get mail returned, and what happens to photographs and other items.
Address your letter like this: Montgomery County Correctional Facility Attn: [Inmate Name and ID Number] P.O. Box 247 Phoenix Maryland 21131 Include the person's full name and ID number on the "Attn" line - this helps staff match the mail to the right person quickly.
Note: Double-check the facility's current mailing address and the person's exact name and ID number. Small mistakes can delay delivery or get your mail returned.
Every envelope needs a full return address. No exceptions. Mail without a return address won't be delivered - it goes straight back to the post office.
Good news: there's no limit on how much mail inmates can send or receive at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. You don't need to save up letters - write as often as you want.
Stick to plain white envelopes. Colored envelopes won't be accepted, and mail in anything other than white won't make it through processing.
Sending photographs? They'll be photocopied. The inmate receives the copy, and the facility holds onto the original for 60 days.
- Have the inmate arrange the pickup - the inmate can identify an outside party to retrieve the original mailing within 60 days.
- Bring a government-issued ID - the person picking up must present government-issued identification showing they’re the authorized individual.
- Go during the allowed pickup window - mail pick-up is Monday through Friday, 7am to 3pm (excluding holidays).
Time limit: If the original mail isn’t picked up within 60 days, it will be destroyed.
There's a cap on reading material. Inmates can have seven items total - books and magazines combined - so sending multiple books or extra magazine issues at once could push them over the limit.
Missing a return address is one of the easiest ways to get mail rejected. The facility won't deliver it - they'll send it back to the post office. Treat the return address as non-negotiable on every single letter.
Need to pick up original retained mail? The window is Monday through Friday, 7am to 3pm (excluding holidays).
Don't wait too long. Original mail that isn't picked up within 60 days gets destroyed. Once the inmate tells you the photocopy arrived, coordinate pickup right away if you want the originals back.
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