Why your photos were rejected by MCCF (and how to send acceptable ones)
Getting photos to someone at MCCF can be frustrating. The rules are strict, and one mistake means everything comes back. Here are the most common rejection reasons—and how to package photos so they actually get through.
Where your photos come from matters. If they were printed and shipped by a third-party vendor like Shutterfly or FreePrint, MCCF won't accept them. Mail photos yourself instead of having a photo company send them on your behalf.
Packaging matters just as much as the pictures themselves. MCCF only accepts photo mail in a plain white envelope with a clearly marked return address from you - the person sending the photos. If your return address is missing, hard to read, or doesn't identify you as the sender, your photos get sent back.
Heads up: One problem photo can sink the whole envelope. If any photograph violates Departmental Policy, MCCF returns everything in that mailing.
This all-or-nothing rule catches a lot of people off guard. MCCF doesn't sort your stack into "acceptable" and "not acceptable." One violation means every photo goes back - no partial delivery. If you're unsure whether an image might trigger a rejection, don't mix it in with photos you know are safe.
- ✓ Send photos yourself (not through a third-party photo vendor like Shutterfly or FreePrint)
- ✓ Use a plain white envelope
- ✓ Write a clearly marked return address from you (the individual sending the photographs)
- ✓ When you’re unsure about a photo, don’t bundle it with others - because one policy issue can cause all photos in that mailing to be returned
Even when photos are accepted, MCCF doesn't pass the originals straight through. The inmate receives a photocopy, and MCCF holds the originals for 60 days. If you sent photos you care about, plan to pick them up before that window closes.
- Coordinate pickup with the inmate - the inmate can arrange for an outside party to retrieve the original mailing within 60 days.
- Bring a government-issued ID - the person picking up must be ready to show government-issued identification.
- Go during the allowed pickup window - mail pick-up is Monday–Friday, 7am–3pm (excluding holidays).
- Pick up within 60 days - originals are retained for 60 days, so don’t wait until the last minute.
S4
- ✓ Put photos in a plain white envelope
- ✓ Clearly write your return address (from you, the individual sender)
- ✓ Don’t send photo prints that were mailed by a third-party vendor (for example, Shutterfly or FreePrint)
- ✓ Remember the all-or-nothing rule: if any photo in the mailing violates Departmental Policy, all photos in that envelope will be returned
Pickup reminder: Bring a government-issued ID. Original photos and mail can only be picked up Monday–Friday, 7am–3pm (excluding holidays).
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