Mail, photos, and packages: what can be sent and who can ship them

For people in New York State DOCCS prisons, package rules are strict. Packages and articles are only allowed if they arrive directly from vendors through carriers like USPS, FedEx, or UPS. You can no longer bring packages during visits or mail them directly from family or friends. DOCCS points families to Department Directive #4911 for the full details on these package and articles changes.

Mailing addresses and shipping instructions can change based on the facility and item type. For federal facilities, a facility page may list different address formats for staff mail and a separate address for shipping freight or non-USPS parcels to an inmate warehouse. Check the facility's current instructions before you ship so your delivery doesn't end up in the wrong place.

Trying to find out whether something was received at a federal facility? It helps to know that some mail is tracked internally. The Bureau of Prisons uses a Correspondence Tracking System (CTS) that logs correspondence received from external entities and assigns tracking numbers for letters and emails.