Penmate Inmate Support Guides
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What You Can and Can't Send to an Inmate at Western Tidewater Jail

Trying to help someone at Western Tidewater Jail? The rules are stricter than most people expect. Here's what the jail accepts, what it doesn't, and how to avoid having items flagged as contraband.

• 2 min read • wtrj.org
What You Can and Can't Send to an Inmate at Western Tidewater Jail

Western Tidewater Jail doesn't accept inmate property - not dropped off in person, not sent through the mail. Packages from outside sources simply aren't allowed.

Bottom line: If you mail or bring property anyway, it won't be accepted. Save yourself the wasted time and shipping costs.

One narrow exception: nonmetal eyeglasses or contact lenses can be accepted, but only with a current prescription. Anything else you try to send as "property" will be refused.

  1. Bring only the approved items - nonmetal glasses and/or contact lenses.
  2. Bring the current prescription - the jail requires an up-to-date prescription with the eyewear/contacts.
  3. Go to the lobby counter for review - these items must be brought to the jail lobby so medical staff can determine whether they’ll be accepted.
What You Can and Can't Send to an Inmate at Western Tidewater Jail

Even for items inmates are allowed to have, there's a limit. Everything must fit inside the facility-authorized storage container. Anything that doesn't fit isn't just "extra" - it's treated as contraband.

Contraband warning: If property is over the allowed storage limit, the jail considers the excess items contraband.

  • ✓ Property can be picked up during normal business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (unless you’ve prearranged an appointment with the property department).
  • ✓ Property is only released to the inmate unless the jail has an inmate request form authorizing release to a non-inmate.
  • ✓ Approval for release to a non-inmate is not guaranteed.

Mail gets processed daily, except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Expect delays over weekends and around holiday closures.

After processing, incoming mail is delivered within 24 hours. If the inmate gets transferred, the jail will forward the mail or return it to the sender - so always include a clear return address.

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