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Benn

Just wondering how to send US stamps, SAE's to inmates in the US from overseas? Are US inmates allowed stamps, do different states/prisons have different rules?


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sunray's wench

I understand and agree with it in principle (people should pay what they owe), but when we are talking about such small sums of money coming in it seems like a disincentive to work (where that is available) and to be supported by friends and family in that way.

 
LostFairy

It depends on the state and also on the individual inmate's circumstances. I know of an inmate who has 80% taken, and another who has 60% taken.

i have a good friend in CO that has an inmate job, and they take 70% of what little he makes. he is a real teddybear.

 
sunray's wench

It depends on the state and also on the individual inmate's circumstances. I know of an inmate who has 80% taken, and another who has 60% taken.

 
LostFairy

When my CA pp was in the hole and didn´t have stamps I put a small amount of money on his books because I thought he could use it for stamps. He told me later, thank you but don´t do it again and then explain that they take 50% of Everything from his books to restitution. Thankfully I had only put in $15, no harm done!

I have a PP in Corcoran that has the problem whatever money he gets they take half of it. So he has his family put money on his cellie's books and he just orders his needs that way

 
Henrietta

Not always. Some inmates don't want money on their books because the state will take a portion of any deposit as restitution. I've known several inmates who prefer to do their bids as indigent, so that the state doesn't get anything more from their families.

If someone is advertising for a penpal, just check that they will accept overseas correspondence. If they do, then they must have considered the implications of higher postage and I wouldn't offer to cover the stamps until well into the correspondence.

But like I said, if you let us know which states you are talking about, we can give you more accurate answers.

When my CA pp was in the hole and didn´t have stamps I put a small amount of money on his books because I thought he could use it for stamps. He told me later, thank you but don´t do it again and then explain that they take 50% of Everything from his books to restitution. Thankfully I had only put in $15, no harm done!

 
sunray's wench

I'm still getting my head round US prisons. They cant take money out your account apart from things like TV rental & other rentals they often forget to do that.

In the US, some states are able to take a portion of funds in an inmate's account (usually a portion of every deposit made) to cover things like court costs, fines, restitution and chilld support payments. Those on parole also have to pay parole fees, so the state could take money back for that if the inmate had defaulted on their payments - which could be enough to land them back in prison. US inmates generally have free access to TV, either in their cells via TVs that they have bought, or in the dayrooms (in Texas) where there are usually 2 TVs that show different things at the same time.

 
Benn

I'm still getting my head round US prisons. They cant take money out your account apart from things like TV rental & other rentals they often forget to do that.

 
sunray's wench

Its prob best to credit a prison account or somethin then?

Not always. Some inmates don't want money on their books because the state will take a portion of any deposit as restitution. I've known several inmates who prefer to do their bids as indigent, so that the state doesn't get anything more from their families.

If someone is advertising for a penpal, just check that they will accept overseas correspondence. If they do, then they must have considered the implications of higher postage and I wouldn't offer to cover the stamps until well into the correspondence.

But like I said, if you let us know which states you are talking about, we can give you more accurate answers.

 
Benn

Its prob best to credit a prison account or somethin then?

 
sunray's wench

Just wondering how to send US stamps, SAE's to inmates in the US from overseas? Are US inmates allowed stamps, do different states/prisons have different rules?

If you tell us where your pals are located, we can probably give you a better/more relevant answer :)

 
Earthmother

The majority of inmates are not allowed to receive stamps. Federal inmates are not allowed to receive stamps in any state. Some state prisons will permit stamps to be sent: Alabama, for example, and I think California also permits it. I'm sure others will weigh in on this eventually.