PDP Mail Rules: What You Can and Can't Send (Letters, Photos, Books)

S1

• ✓ Write on plain white paper only (no colored, construction, or specialty paper).
• ✓ Use only pencil or pen (no crayons or markers).
• ✓ Use a plain white envelope.
• ✓ Keep envelope decorations minimal: no more than two decorative stickers.
• ✓ Do not include any glitter on the card or in the envelope.
• ✓ Photos must be 5" x 7" or smaller.
• ✓ Photos cannot show nudity, weapons, money, or drug use.
• ✓ Books, magazines, and newspapers must come directly from approved third-party sellers (not from individuals), and hardback books and packages are not allowed.

Use this format to address mail: John Doe PPN#123456 CFCF 7901 State Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19136.

Keep letters and cards simple. PDP requires plain white paper, written in pencil or pen only. Skip anything that looks like an art project - crayons, markers, colored paper, and construction paper will all get your mail rejected.

Stick to plain white envelopes. You can add up to two decorative stickers, but that's it. And again - no glitter anywhere, including on stickers or cards.

Photos are allowed, but size matters. PDP only accepts prints that are 5" x 7" or smaller - standard small prints work fine, but skip anything oversized.

Content gets screened too. Don't send pictures showing nudity, weapons, money, or drug use - even as a joke, part of a costume, or something visible in the background.

There's also a storage limit: incarcerated people can keep up to five pictures. If they're already at the max, new photos may not reach them. Check with them before sending more.

Want to send books, magazines, or newspapers? The main rule: they must ship directly from an approved third-party seller. PDP won't accept reading materials mailed from individuals.

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Philadelphia Inquirer are all acceptable vendors. Just make sure the seller ships directly to the facility - not to you first.

1. Read the rejection/return information - if anything came back, look for what was flagged (paper type, envelope decoration, glitter, photo size/content, or how a book was shipped).
2. Match it to the rule that caused the problem - common issues are non-white paper, marker/crayon, more than two envelope stickers, any glitter, photos larger than 5" x 7", or prohibited photo content (nudity, weapons, money, drug use).
3. Fix the item (don’t “edit around it”) - rewrite the letter on plain white paper using pen/pencil, use a plain white envelope with two or fewer stickers and no glitter, and replace any photo that doesn’t meet size/content rules.
4. Resend photos with the limits in mind - keep photos to 5" x 7" or smaller and remember the person can only have up to five pictures at a time.
5. Reorder reading materials the right way - books, magazines, and newspapers must ship directly from an approved third-party seller; avoid hardbacks and anything that would be treated as a package.

Before you resend, double-check the addressing format so it routes correctly: John Doe PPN#123456 CFCF 7901 State Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19136.