Supporting a friend or family member during their incarceration can often feel challenging. Thoughtful gestures can make a big difference. Many people wonder how to send a care package to an inmate to provide comfort or encouragement; others want to share essentials like snacks, books, or clothing.
Care packages are meaningful, but every correctional facility has rules about what’s allowed. Sometimes, sending money directly with Western Union’s Send2Corrections can be the simplest choice. This helps the inmate purchase what they need from the commissary.
If you do have the option to provide care packages, it’s important to understand every rule about allowable inclusions. This guide explores the basics to help you build the best possible options.
Key takeaways
- Correctional facilities have strict rules about care packages—always review them before sending.
- Many prisons only allow packages from approved retailers.
- Approved items vary but may include food, clothing, books, and hygiene products.
- Sometimes sending money to corrections is easier, giving inmates more flexibility.
Step 1: Review the facility rules
How do you send a care package to an inmate? It starts with knowing the rules. Anything you send will be searched, so knowing what’s allowed before spending your money is important.
Before deciding what to send, check the correctional facility guidelines. Each prison or jail sets its own restrictions. Sending an unapproved package may result in items being returned or discarded.
Visit the facility’s official website or contact their administration office. Most facilities publish approved vendor lists and package size limits. You’ll also find rules about what can and can’t be included.
Step 2: Choose an approved retailer
Most prisons and jails only accept packages from authorized vendors. This ensures items are safe, properly documented, and delivered securely. Should you try to send a package from home, there’s a high chance it will be denied.
Using the approved retailer(s) helps avoid delays or confiscated goods. These vendors specialize in prison-approved care packages and offer selections tailored to specific facility rules. Following this process is often the best way to send an inmate a care package.
Step 3: Select items for your care package
Once you know the facility rules and have chosen an approved retailer, it’s time to pick the contents. Each prison has restrictions, but common care package items may include:
- Clothing, including socks, t-shirts, or undergarments
- Snacks that include pre-approved packaged foods like chips, candy, or coffee
- Hygiene products, such as shampoo, soap, or toothpaste (if allowed)
- Books or magazines, often sent through publishers or approved vendors
Double-check the vendor’s catalog against the facility’s rules. Some facilities may have restrictions not just on the types of books but also on specific editions. Carefully selecting the right items ensures the package’s delivery without issues.
Step 4: Consider when to send money instead
Care packages are thoughtful, but sometimes sending money to an inmate is more practical. Commissary accounts allow inmates to choose what they need most, from food or hygiene supplies to phone time or reading materials.
If you’re unsure what to send, adding money to these accounts allows flexibility. You can send money to an inmate using Western Union’s transfer services online, in person, or through a mobile app. It’s often faster than sending a package and lessens the risk of confiscated items from a care package.
Step 5: Track your order
Whether you send a care package to an inmate through approved vendors or transfer money through Western Union, tracking tools provide reassurance. Most package retailers will provide an order confirmation and tracking number(s). This helps you know that your inmate care package has arrived.
Western Union provides similar transparency. We provide confirmation details for every transfer, so you know when your money arrives. Sharing these details with your recipient can help them anticipate when to check their commissary or facility account. Knowing how to send an inmate a care package or funds is only part of the process; tracking ensures your support gets delivered.
FAQs
You can’t usually mail commissary items directly to an inmate. Instead, send a care package to an inmate using an approved vendor or deposit funds into the inmate’s commissary account. This lets them make purchases themselves.
Typical care package items include clothing, snacks, hygiene products, or reading materials. Each facility sets its own rules; confirm what’s allowed and how to send a care package to an inmate before you purchase anything.
Yes. Inmates usually get notified of who sent the package or funds. Packages from vendors usually include sender information, and commissary deposits are often credited under the sender’s name.
This blog is for general informational purposes only and doesn’t constitute legal advice. While we aim to provide accurate content, details may change over time. For specific concerns, it’s best to consult a legal or professional advisor.
