When writing to a prisoner using the US Postal Service, the envelope must include the address of the facility where the prisoner is located, as well as their name and number. Below is an example:
John A. Smith, #123456
Michigan Correctional Facility
123 Prison Street
Anytown, MI 48909
Prisoner numbers can be looked up on the Offender Tracking Information System
Confidential and legal mail instructions
All incoming personal mail including envelopes will be photocopied in black and white and the photocopy will be delivered to the prisoner it is addressed to (for colored copies, send through JPay). The prisoner will not receive the original mail; the originals will be shredded and disposed.
Prisoner mail is identified as any written, typed, or printed communication of information. Additional information regarding prisoner mail can be found in Policy Directive 05.03.118 Prisoner Mail.
Emails may be sent to prisoners from family and others who have made an account with JPay. To send a message, you will have to purchase "stamps" or a subscription through JPay.
Set up your JPay account: www.jpay.com.
All mail is electronically scanned for security issues before being released to the prisoner. Sending messages with inappropriate content may delay processing or result in rejection of the message.
Prisoners will receive the message via a kiosk located in the housing unit. The prisoner may respond the message by purchasing “electronic stamps” from JPay on the kiosk. A printed copy of the electronic message may be requested by the prisoner for a nominal fee.
Only one photo per page may be sent, photo collages are prohibited. Prisoners and email senders may be blocked from sending or receiving messages on JPay if they are found to be in violation of policy. Please see Policy Directive 05.03.119 Electronic Messaging (E-Mail) for more details.
