The period of incarceration can be a difficult time for both the incarcerated individual and their loved ones. Keeping in contact with an inmate during their time behind bars has shown to have many benefits — from keeping a relationship alive to improving overall mental health. One of the simplest ways to stay in contact with an incarcerated loved one is by sending them letters. If you don’t know the right steps, the process may seem overwhelming, but keep reading as we lay out how to send a letter to someone in jail.
Importance of Sending Letters
Keeping Up With One Another
While your loved one is incarcerated, it can put a strain on your relationship as you do not get the chance to speak every day. But it is important to remember that your loved one is probably missing you and their normal day-to-day life. They probably want to keep up with what is going on in your life, and sending updates through letters can be a great way to do this. However, you must keep in mind many facilities have rules and regulations on sending and receiving mail that you need to check before sending.
To Have and to Hold
Although visiting and phone calls have their own set of benefits, one of the main benefits of sending your incarcerated loved one a letter is that it is a physical item they get to keep. They can keep the letter in their belongings, and return to it when they are missing you.
Ways to Send Letters to an Incarcerated Individual
A simple way to send a letter to your incarcerated loved one is through email. When you send a letter through email, the note will be printed on paper to be given to the incarcerated person. To send, visit the website of the facility your loved one is located at to find specific email addresses and instructions. Some facilities may require you to go through an approval process before sending a letter. Once you have your letter written, make sure the content is appropriate and follows the rules before sending.
Postage
Another simple way to send a letter to your incarcerated friend or family member is through traditional postage mail. The benefit to this method is that a handwritten letter is more personal and intimate, and something your incarcerated loved one will cherish. When sending a physical letter in the mail, the facility will typically require you to include the inmate’s legal name, their DOC number, and the address of the facility on the front of the envelope.
Send Photos with Pelipost
In addition to sending letters, sending your incarcerated loved ones photos is another great way to stay connected to one another. Like the letters, a photo is a tangible item they can hold onto and look at when they are missing you. Pelipost is an app in which you can send photos to your loved one directly through your smartphone, making connecting with your loved one an easy process.
Ready to send pictures? You can download the Pelipost app through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.