#1 inmate post service
Send a letter to an inmate in the USA
Find the inmate or facility first. Then write and send your letter from $3. No account needed.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
U.S. Department of Justice
Do not know whether someone is in federal custody? Start with the BOP search. State prisons, county jails, city jails, and juvenile facilities use separate local systems, so we help you confirm the facility address before writing.
Inmate letter FAQ: cost, delivery timing, tracking, and address checks
Send a letter to an inmate in the USA
Most inmate mail questions are practical: price, delivery time, tracking, and whether the address is right. This flow handles those checks before you spend time writing.
PieterPost is for regular physical letters. It is useful when you want printing, postage, and mailing handled for you, but it is not the right option when you need certified mail, tracking, or legal proof.
The flow is built around those differences. It asks for the custody path first, then prepares a recipient address before opening the letter editor.
If a facility publishes a stricter address format, mailroom rule, or sender requirement, use that official instruction over a generic inmate-address example.
Estimated timing
| Mail route | Estimated timing | What can add time |
|---|---|---|
| PieterPost to U.S. facility | 5-7 business days | Postal network |
| Facility mailroom to inmate | Varies by facility | Inspection, scanning, local rules |
These are estimates, not guarantees. Weekends, holidays, postal delays, and facility screening can add time.
How the inmate letter flow works
- Choose federal BOP custody or another U.S. correctional facility path.
- Search or select the facility and confirm the mailing address and inmate details.
- Write the letter, review the preview and price, then pay securely to send it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to send an inmate letter?
A one-page inmate letter starts at $3. Extra pages cost $0.50 each. The editor shows the exact price before you pay, including any uploaded pages.
How long does delivery take?
Estimated U.S. letter delivery is usually 5-7 business days after mailing. Correctional facilities can add extra screening time before the mail is delivered internally.
Do inmate letters include tracking or proof of delivery?
No. PieterPost sends regular mail and does not currently offer certified mail, registered mail, tracking, legal proof of delivery, or arrival notifications. If you need proof, use a postal service that supports it.
What details do I need before writing?
You usually need the full committed name, inmate ID or BOP register number, facility correspondence address, and your return address. Some facilities also ask for a housing unit, booking number, or special mail format.
Should I use BOP or facility lookup?
Use the BOP path for federal custody. Use the facility lookup path for state prisons, county jails, city jails, and juvenile facilities. BOP does not cover every U.S. inmate.
Do I need an account to send the letter?
No. You can write, preview, and send without creating a PieterPost account. Checkout happens before anything is printed or mailed.