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Must read Terms of Service & Privacy Policy and be at least 18

 
BubuBGS

Hey everyone,

I have been writing to a death row inmate in San Quentin State prison, and I noticed that some of the envelopes came open to me. I didn't think much of it at first, as the mail travels from the US to France and back, but I realized that the sheets of paper/cards could be lost in the process, so I just put a wax seal on the back of the envelope (I ran out of tape). 

However I saw some posts here saying that the envelopes should be plain white and we shouldn't "customize" them. So far, the colorful envelopes weren't a problem, and he didn't mention it, but I really am unsure about the wax seal. Did you ever receive a letter back because it wasn't accepted? 

Take care

 
KateAndrews

They don't tend to return mail that's withheld.
The only time I have had mail returned (international mail) is when my inmate was at the appeal court and is not receiving mail. The other time was when my penpal was no longer in the system and they returned my mail with inmate is deceased scrawled on the envelope.
Those are the only times.
I have had word that mail has been withheld for something minor usually the penpal is able to appeal.

 
BubuBGS

noted, thanks guys!

 
PPAz83

Yes, I see no need for you to put any seal on your mail in the future. The reason for the open envelopes are due to contraband checks on your pp’s outgoing mail.
They may remove the wax and give him the mail still or they might contraband the lot. It is at the mail rooms discretion at this point.
They usually let the inmate know if something has been refused though.

 
Reynout

Well, as all mail to inmates - incoming as well as outgoing, except for mail covered by attorney-client privilege -  is opened and read by prison staff, it is probably the case that people at the facility's mail room have not re-sealed the envelopes properly after opening them for inspection.