INMATE MAIL SERVICES

OVERVIEW 

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) supports and embraces family, friends, and loved ones of those who have been incarcerated to maintain contact. DPSCS permits and encourages an inmate to correspond with family, friends, and loved ones with minimum interference and consistent with the legitimate security needs of the facility. 

INMATE MAIL SERVICES (WRITING AN INMATE)

Maryland’s  Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) permits and encourages inmates to receive mail, reading materials, and publications consistent with the United States Constitution, Maryland State and Federal laws and regulations, and Maryland DPSCS policies and procedures.

INMATE MAIL SERVICES – ADDRESSING MAIL

MAIL AND BOOKS MUST CONTAIN:

• The inmate’s name;
• The inmate’s State Identification (SID) number;
• The inmate’s facility acronym (see below) ; and
• The name and return address of the sender.

Here is an example of a properly addressed envelope or mailing:

INMATE MAIL SERVICES – GENERAL RULES

MAIL AND BOOKS MUST NOT CONTAIN:

• An item glued, taped, or otherwise attached;
• An aftermarket alterations, such as paint, crayon, marker, ink, glitter, cloth, or string;
• A label or sticker (including address labels) except for a postage that is to be removed;
• A biohazard, illicit substance, scent, or lipstick;
• A liquid stain;
• Any material of a sexually explicit nature;
• Any material which suggests, represents, references, depicts, or incites acts of:
  • Criminal or illegal gang activity;
  • Violence;
  • Riots;
  • Racism; or
  • Threatens the security of the facility.
• A message that appears to be written in code;
• Actual or described plans or implements that may be used to escape;
• Actual or described construction or use of weapons or other devices to be used to inflict illness or injury;
• Information for making illegal substances such as alcohol or drugs;
• Information about theory, design, or manufacturing of correctional facility security systems, communication systems, or security equipment;
• Instructions on how to violate correctional facility rules or encourage a breach of security;
• Materials that advocate for or provide instruction in the formation of inmate unions;
• Contraband; or 
• Cash, money orders, checks, or stamps.

BOOKS MAILED TO AN INMATE AT THE FACILITY MAY NOT HAVE:

• A hard cover;
• Removed, torn, or reattached pages; or
• Removed or reattached book covers.

MARYLAND DPSCS DETENTION FACILITIES – MAILING ADDRESS

MARYLAND DPSCS CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES – MAILING ADDRESS