Can prison inmates receive gifts, money, etc.?

Question

This sounds awful but I have a family member who recently got sentenced to 5 years in a State Prison. So what is an inmate allowed to have? Can you send them money, tobacco, socks, etc.? Or is every state a little different. I know from common sense what a prison inmate wouldn't be allowed to have.

Answer 1

Please do not be embarrassed about your relative. Everyone makes errors in life, most people violate laws. A whopping 15% of American men will do jail time during their lifetime. The USA has more prisoners than any other country on earth ; if not, it has second highest incarceration rate.
You did not commit a crime. If your family member did, he needs to be treated with respect ; he is a human. If you believe in the Bible, some of the New Testament books were written from jail cells.
State laws vary about what you can take a prisoner. You need to call the Dept of Corrections and get their pre-printed list. Anything taken to a prison which is not on the list is contraband and you could be charged with an offense.
Always do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Thank you for your kindness. Good Luck !

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Gifts For Prisoners

Answer 4

You can give prisoners money on their 'books'. That is you make a payment to the prison on behalf of the inmate, and that prisoner will be able to purchase goods from the little snack shop within the prison. I dont think you can send gifts, but in california I have sent my friends magazines, and letters are okay as well. You cannot send metal objects, or anything that can be fashioned into a weapon. You also cant send any drugs - dur :)

Answer 5

No, inmate can not recieve calls. If there is a genuine emergency/urgent matter a family member can call the prison and speak to either the Chaplain, the inmate's counselor or the yard watch commander and the inmate will be told that he needs to call home. In certain circumstances, an attorney can schedule an appointment to speak with an inmate via telephone and those calls can be inbound.

Answer 6

Sending books to an inmate is actually pretty straightforward but they have very strict rules regarding mail to prisoners. But most prisons will allow soft cover books and non-spiraled magazines to be sent if directly from the publisher, including magazine subscriptions.

If you follow a set of important rules you will maximise the chance that those who are incarcerated receive your reading material.

Essentially you should snd paperbacks and only by USPS and they must be sent from the publisher or a large national book store. Also, no nudity, violent, gang or racist themes.

Read more about general tips on sending books to inmates in prison and as well as any feedback from others on sending books to the prison or jail your family or friend is There is more information at http://www.sendbookstoinmates.com/

I hope that helps!

Answer 7

Well, it depends greatly on the state. The state of SC where I live you can only send money in the form of credit towards their "account" and they can buy stuff they need from the canteen. Twice a year, for Christmas and in the Spring, the prison will send out list of items that you can purchase for them to be delivered as gifts such as underwear, cigarettes, snacks at a cheaper price than what the inmate already pay. But as far as I know you cannot just send them stuff through the mail. Letters, pics, books straight from the publisher, magazine subscriptions. I think thats about it.

Answer 8

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Generally, no, inmates may not receive incoming calls. This may vary from one state to another. However, exceptions can be made. Calls from an attorney will sometimes be allowed. If there is a family emergency (death, illness, etc.) most prisons will allow a call. In July I was hospitalized on a emergency basis. The social services counselor contacted the prison my son is in and allowed me to call him. Since he has my medical power of attorney it was necessary to actually speak to him rather than leave a message. If you have an emergency just call the administrative number of whatever facility he maybe in. They will route you to the right person.

Answer 9

Probably no gifts at all. You can give them money but it has to go through the State Dept. of Prisons. Ask the Inmate, they will know the forms to have and how to send them money.

Answer 10

Each institution has its own rules. Also, priviledges can be awarded and removed at almost any time. Contact the visitor relations officer at the prison for current information.

Most institutions allow funds to be depositied into the inmate's commissary account. Generally they are not allowed to have cash.

Tobacco is banned in many if not most prisons, and is indistinguishable from other illegal drugs in most places were it is banned as far as the prison rules are concerned. Outside food is also prohibited at most facilities for both public health and anti-smuggling reasons.