Send Letter to Prisoner

If someone you care about is inside, a letter can carry more weight than you think. It’s a voice on paper, a slice of normal life, and sometimes the only thing that cuts through the noise of a long week. The snag? Prisons have rules — and a few quirks — that can trip you up if you’ve never posted to a jail before. Here’s the simple, human guide to getting your letter through first time.

How to address it (the part you must get right)

Put their full name and prison number on the top line, then the prison’s name and full address underneath. Keep it clean and readable — block capitals help if your handwriting’s a bit lively.

Jane Smith
A1234BC
HMP Example Prison
123 Example Street
Example Town
EX1 2MP
  

Finding the prison number (when you don’t have it)

Ask the person inside, check previous visit or call paperwork, or use the official prisoner location routes to confirm details with the prison. Without the number, mail can float about for days.

Return address — include it

Write your name and return address on the back of the envelope. If the prison can’t deliver the letter, it needs somewhere to go.

Ink, envelopes and stamps

Plain envelope, plain paper. Stick to dark ink (blue or black). Avoid glitter pens, stickers and heavy perfume — anything that rubs off, sheds, or triggers the scanners is a bad idea. First-class post is fine; recorded services can slow things down because someone has to sign.

Micro-tip

Print their name and number at the top of every page inside. If the sheets get separated in the mail room, that line saves time.

What to write (and what not to)

Be yourself. Short, regular notes beat a once-a-month epic. Share ordinary life: school runs, work grumbles, a TV tip, a daft thing the dog did. Ask practical questions: “Any forms I can chase?” “Numbers you need adding to your phone list?”

Topics and tone

Keep it supportive and clear. Remember they’ll likely read your letter on a busy wing, not in private. If you’ve got heavy news, be gentle and direct. If you’re upset, say so — just skip the blame game. Letters last; people reread them at 3am.

Prohibited content (this gets mail stopped)

No coded messages, no instructions about contraband, no threats, no graphic material, no banking details or passwords. Don’t tuck in cash, SIM cards, stamps, scratch cards, USBs… none of it will get through.

Photos and drawings

Many prisons allow simple photo prints; some are stricter. Keep them family-friendly, no Polaroids, no frames or mounts, and stick to small sizes. Kids’ drawings are usually fine (no stickers, glitter, or glued extras). When in doubt, ask the prison before you send.

Micro-tip

Number your photo prints on the back (“1 of 3”, “2 of 3”…) and write the prisoner’s name/number there too.

Posting the letter (no need to overthink it)

Pop it in the post with the right stamp. Inside the prison, letters go through screening before delivery. On a smooth week, that’s quick; around weekends, bank holidays or staffing dips, it can take longer. If it’s truly urgent, a phone call via their approved numbers or a short “Email a Prisoner” message (where available) is faster.

If your letter is delayed or rejected

It happens. Sometimes it’s a simple error (missing number, unreadable address). Sometimes the content breaks rules. You can call the prison for general guidance, but they won’t discuss another person’s mail in detail. Keep your next letter simple and clearly addressed.

Legal mail is different

Legal correspondence follows stricter confidentiality rules. If you’re a solicitor or sending documents on a legal matter, use the correct markings and return address as required in that jurisdiction. When in doubt, ring the prison and ask for the legal mail guidance.

Books and magazines

Don’t post them yourself. Most prisons require reading material to be sent direct from approved retailers or library schemes, with tight limits on size and number. Make one quick call before you order and save yourself a return-to-sender saga.

Micro-tip

If you’re sending multiple letters in a week, date them clearly on page one. If they arrive out of order, the dates help the reader make sense of it.

Alternatives to letters (when time matters)

Email a Prisoner lets you send a short message online that’s printed inside the prison. Some sites allow paid reply sheets and photo uploads, all screened. Video calls are available in many prisons for approved contacts. None of these replace letters — they sit alongside them.

Money, property and the classic mistakes

Don’t post cash or top-up vouchers. Use the official “send money to someone in prison” routes instead. Property rules are tight; clothing usually goes in via approved suppliers or within narrow reception windows. Always check first.

If you don’t know where they are

Use the prisoner location service to confirm the establishment and get the right address. Moves happen; letters sometimes chase people round the system unless you check.

Why your letters matter

Regular contact keeps people anchored. A paragraph about normal life can turn a bleak afternoon into something bearable. It doesn’t need perfect grammar; it needs you.

Micro-tip

Keep a simple note on your phone: last letter sent, date, three things you mentioned. It stops you repeating yourself and makes replies easier.

FAQs: Sending Letters to Prisoners (UK)

Can I write to any prisoner if I have the address?

Yes — but include their full name and prison number. Without both, delivery is hit-and-miss.

How long does delivery take?

Allow a few days. Screening inside the prison adds time, especially over weekends and bank holidays.

Can I include photos?

Often, yes — within strict rules on size and content. Avoid Polaroids, mounts and anything explicit. Check the prison’s guidance first.

Should I send cash or stamps?

No. Use the official money-sending routes. Stamps and vouchers are usually stopped at screening.

What if my letter is rejected?

It may be returned or held. Simplify the next letter: clear addressing, no enclosures, plain paper and ink, and avoid restricted content.

How do I find someone’s prison number?

Ask the person or their family, check previous paperwork, or use official prisoner-location routes via the prison service.

Is Email a Prisoner faster?

Usually, yes — messages print inside the prison and are handed out with the post. Replies and photo options depend on the establishment.