Safety Guidelines

Protect Your Personal Information

• Never share your home address. Use a P.O. Box or a mail forwarding service for all correspondence.
• Do not share financial information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords.
• Limit personal details early on. Avoid sharing your full name, employer, daily schedule, or other identifying information until you have built trust over time.
• Use a separate email address if you communicate electronically through approved prison email systems.

Be Aware of Financial Requests

• Be cautious of money requests. It is common for inmates to ask for financial help. You are under no obligation to send money.
• Never send large sums. If you choose to help, keep amounts small and infrequent.
• Watch for urgency and pressure. Legitimate correspondences do not involve high-pressure requests for funds or threats.
• Verify stories independently. If someone tells you about a legal fee, medical bill, or emergency, verify it through official channels before acting.

Emotional Boundaries

• Take your time. Healthy relationships develop gradually. Be wary of someone who professes deep feelings very quickly.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong or too good to be true, step back and evaluate.
• Set boundaries. You have every right to decide the pace and depth of the correspondence.
• Seek outside perspective. Talk to friends, family, or a counselor if you feel uncertain about the relationship.

Correspondence Best Practices

• Always include the inmate's full legal name and registration number on the envelope.
• Follow the facility's mail rules. Most prisons have restrictions on items you can include (stickers, glitter, certain inks, Polaroid photos, etc.).
• Keep copies of your letters for your own records.
• Be honest and genuine in your communication, but guard sensitive information.

Legal Considerations

• Correspondence with inmates is legal and protected. However, all mail may be monitored by the facility.
• Do not discuss illegal activities, escape plans, or anything that could be construed as aiding criminal conduct.
• Be aware that inmates' mail privileges can be revoked if rules are violated.
• If you ever feel threatened or harassed, stop communication immediately and contact local law enforcement.

Meeting in Person

• If you decide to visit, research the facility's visitation rules and dress code in advance.
• Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Never bring contraband into a facility. This is a serious criminal offense.
• Trust your comfort level. You are never obligated to visit.

Red Flags to Watch For

Need Help?

If you have concerns about a correspondence or believe you have been the victim of a scam, please contact us immediately. You can also report issues to the facility directly or to your local authorities.

For more information, visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.