What You Can Mail to Someone at Sonoma County Jail (Pigeonly Rules & Size Limits)

Starting September 1, 2025, all non-privileged incoming mail for Sonoma County Jail must be sent to Pigeonly Corrections for processing. Two basics trip people up: every piece of mail needs a return address, and it must include the incarcerated person's booking number. Miss either one and your mail won't go through.

Allowed Items

• ✓ Letters (including drawings)
• ✓ Greeting cards
• ✓ Postcards
• ✓ 4 in. x 6 in. photos (limit to 10 photos per parcel)

Envelopes must be no larger than 4 in. x 9½ in.

Letters must be on paper that is no larger than 8 ½ in. x 11 in.

Greeting cards must be no larger than 5 in. x 7 in. Postcards must also be 5 in. x 7 in. Photographs must be 4 in. x 6 in., and you can send up to 10 photos per parcel.

All incoming mail is inspected for prohibited materials. Anything containing nudity, explicit sexual content, obscene material, violent language, promotion of violence, or contraband will be flagged and marked undeliverable. Contraband includes weapons, drugs, or items with an unknown substance or odor.

Incarcerated people can send and receive unlimited mail at their own expense, as long as it doesn't jeopardize safety or disrupt facility operations. That said, they can only store a limited amount of mail in their cells. The Facility Manager sets that limit.

1. Expect a cell storage limit: Even if mail volume is allowed, only a limited amount can be kept in the cell.
2. Know what happens to the overflow: Excess mail will be stored with the incarcerated person’s personal property.
3. Plan for pickup later: That stored mail is returned at the incarcerated person’s release.