Mail, photos, and vendor packages: rules and limits
Mail rules depend on the facility, so follow their specific instructions when you have them. At Anne Arundel County's Jennifer Road Detention Center, incoming mail must be in plain white legal- or letter-sized envelopes, written on plain or lined white paper. Include the inmate's first and last name, plus your first and last name and complete return address. Mail that doesn't meet these requirements gets processed as contraband.
Photo rules are often stricter than people expect. At Jennifer Road Detention Center, photographs must come from approved facility vendors and can't be larger than 4" x 6".
For Maryland DPSCS care packages, Access Securepak orders can be placed online, by phone, or by mail. DPSCS lists a specific mailing address and phone number for orders. There's a limit of $100 of product per incarcerated individual per quarter, with orders consolidated to stay under that maximum. Federal BOP facilities generally don't allow packages from home without prior written approval. Limited exceptions exist for things like release clothing and authorized medical devices. Books and magazines must come directly from the publisher.
Common Questions
Q
Can I mail photos directly from home and are there size limits?
Some facilities require photos to come from approved vendors rather than from home. For example, Jennifer Road Detention Center says photos must come from approved facility vendors and can be no larger than 4" x 6". If you are sending a care package through Maryland DPSCS Access Securepak, DPSCS limits shipments to $100 of product per incarcerated individual per quarter.
Q
What happens if a facility finds contraband in my mail or package?
A facility may return the item to sender, destroy it if it presents a health or safety hazard, or confiscate it as evidence in a criminal investigation. Separate from the facility’s handling, Maryland law makes it unlawful to possess or deliver contraband in a place of confinement, and DPSCS states penalties can include prison time and fines upon conviction.
Q
Can I visit an inmate right after they are booked or do I need approval first?
Approval is often required before you can visit. In the federal BOP system, you can only visit after the incarcerated person places you on their visiting list and you have been cleared by the BOP. Intake timing can also affect how quickly things move; Anne Arundel County detention facilities state initial intakes are completed Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Find an Inmate
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
