Sending Mail to Inmates in Massachusetts
Inmates can send and receive as many letters as they wish, but they are responsible for the expense. Inmates who are indigent will be given postage to mail up to three letters each week (unlimited when correspondence is with the courts). All incoming mail is opened and inspected to ensure no contraband enters the facility. The reading of correspondence may be authorized under certain circumstances. Legal/privileged mail cannot be read, but can still be opened and inspected in the presence of the inmate. At no time can you send any items through the mail to your inmate other then letters, and photos.
Photos must be no larger than 4"x6" and must not be Polaroid as these present a security threat to the institution. Only send three photos at a time. Images must not contain nudity or depict illegal activities. You should also refrain from sending images that contain hand gestures, or images of tattoos as these can be misconstrued as having gang relations.
Whenever you send mail to your inmate you should always include your name and return address, and post the inmates address as follows:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Facility Name
PO Box or Street address
City, State, Zip
How to Send Books and Magazines to Massachusetts Inmates
You are also allowed to send your inmate publications that come directly from an approved publisher like Amazon.com. When ordering through Amazon you may only order new books, third party sellers are not allowed. In addition, you can only send paperback books, hardcover books will be rejected. You can also order your inmate magazines and newspapers directly from Amazon.com. No publications you send can contain nudity or promote hate/violence. Additionally, publications may not contain maps, or describe the manufacture of weapons, alcohol, or drugs. All publications will be reviewed. Any material that is deemed to jeopardize the safety and security of the institution, or any publications that violates the directives of the prison will be rejected. If you want to learn more about sending books and magazines to an inmate read this.
Sending Money to Inmates in Massachusetts
Friends and family members can send funds to an inmate that can be used to purchase items from the commissary. The commissary is a small store within the prison that has a variety of goods, from food, snacks, electronics, and hygiene items, to envelopes, stamps, and stationary. To send funds you will need to know the inmate's current location and identification number. Purchase a United States Postal Money order and make it payable to the inmates name and ID number, include your name and address and mail it to the inmate.
For more information on sending funds to an inmate, read our guide here.
Massachusetts Inmate Phone Calls
Inmates have access to telephones everyday with the exception of during emergency conditions, like a lockdown. Inmates can either make a collect call or a prepaid call through a company called Global Tel* Link. Before an inmate can make a telephone call they must submit the numbers they want to call and have them approved. Inmates are allowed to have up to ten numbers on their approved call list. All calls may be recorded and monitored.
The pre-paid phone service provider for Massachusetts is GTL. You can setup your account over the phone by calling 1-800-483-8314 or by visiting their website at ConnectNetwork.com
Global Tel* Link will charge you a fee for each call, plus a rate per minute. You may be able to drastically reduce your inmate phone bill by setting up your account with a number local to the facility. Learn more about how you can save money on your inmate phone calls.