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What Can You Send to Someone in Jail?

When a loved one is incarcerated, staying connected becomes more challenging but also more crucial. Sending mail or packages and receiving gifts from inmates can bridge the gap, providing comfort and maintaining the bonds that are essential for their emotional and mental well-being. However, knowing what you can bring to someone in jail can be daunting. In this article, we'll explore the variety of what can you send someone in jail, from letters and photos to books and care packages, and provide tips on how to ensure your mail meets the facility’s guidelines. Whether you are sending a simple note or a box filled with essentials, your thoughtfulness can make a significant difference in the life of an incarcerated loved one.

Emails/Letters

As you may already know, one of the most common gifts you can send to your loved one in jail or prison is a letter of love from home. Tell them about your day, and how you’ve been feeling without them in your life. It’s things like this that will last a lifetime and mean the most to your loved one. Jails will also usually have a way for inmates to send emails through the internet, but they are required to be read by the staff before the prisoner receives the email for extra precautions. 

Someone writing a letter with a gold pen

Money

You may wonder why someone would need money when they are in jail. Well, being in jail means less food and meals. Getting the necessities is a lot harder when you are in jail without any money in your pocket. Cash will help your loved one get warm socks, shampoo, soap, and extra snacks to make up for meals. 

an open wallet with cash coming out

Celebration Cards 

Birthdays and special holidays are very hard to spend incarcerated. Give your loved one something to look forward to by knowing how to send cards to inmates on these special days by giving them a card with meaningful words and love. Jails will usually not let prisoners accept any cards that have extra thick layers or music/talking included. They also do not let prisoners have any cards with extra decorative items attached to them. No glitter, stickers, or bows. Sometimes it’s nice for inmates to receive cards on random occasions as well. As an inmate knowing that some is thinking about you helps so much

celebration cards on a rack

Photographs

It often gets really lonely in cells, no loved ones to talk to or hold at night, and no one to say goodnight to. Having photographs of loved ones and family gives them something to look forward to when they leave and a face to say goodnight to.  The only thing that matters to people who are in jail are their family members.

several printed photos together

Care Packages

In some cases you might be able to send your inmate a care package full of shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste. You wouldn't probably be able to send these things to every prison or jail, but its always worth a shot to help somebody out. Reason I say that is because all the mail is inspected by the prison and somethings will be thrown out. We've heard of people getting socks, underwear, maybe a guitar pick from a concert (rare occasions). You can try to send them more, but they are checked and sometimes you can get nothing.

Books/Magazines/Newspapers

Ya, it’s not the first thing you’d think of when you think of gifts but having books and things to read helps pass the time of inmates in their cell. It is best to find books with soft covers so you don’t risk them sending your book back. They also want the books to be delivered from specific sellers, meaning delivered to the prison by an amazon delivery guy or whoever it is you are buying the book from. 

a person reading a book on a blanket

What should I avoid sending in a loved one in jail?

Mailing objects, gifts, or even letters to your loved one can get frustrating when you have all of these regulations. But you have to give credit to the staff, there are inmates that would use anything they could to cause harm or plan an escape. There have also been numerous accidents that occured from gifts alone. Here are some things you should avoid sending to someone in jail. 

  • Anything that could be used as a weapon or cause harm if maneuvered. 
  • Anything resembling drugs or encouraging the use of drugs. 
  • Anything that could be used to plan an escape. 
  • Anything promoting unlawful or unwarranted sexual activity.
  • Anything edible such as jail pocket food, or typical meals

If you or your loved one is in jail and you have been given the chance for bail but don’t have the funds necessary to post it, Sportsman’s Bail Bonds is what you need. We only request a fraction of the bail and then post the rest for you, getting your loved one back with your family in no time. If you find yourself being charged for any sort of crime, be sure to inform yourself of the current laws on bail. A bail bondsman can help you pay for bail so you can prepare for your trial.


If you or someone you know needs help getting a bail bond, Sportsman Bail Bonds is the place for you. We do our best to get you results fast. You can call us at 801-623-6877 or contact us online.