How Much Does Inmate Mail Cost? | Prison Postage Guide

How Much Does an Inmate Pay to Send a Letter? (Prison Economy 101)

When you receive a handwritten letter from a U.S. prison, you are holding something that costs the inmate more than just time. For someone earning cents per hour in a prison job, a single stamp is a significant expense.

If you’ve ever wondered why your loved one doesn’t write more often or why they ask for funds on their "commissary" account, understanding the cost of outgoing mail is key.

1. The Cost of a Stamp (Postage)

Inmates must pay for their own postage. While the price of a USPS First-Class stamp is standard (currently $0.73), for an inmate, this is not "just change."

Prison Wages: In many federal and state facilities, inmates earn between $0.12 and $0.40 per hour.
The Math: To buy one single stamp, an inmate may have to work 2 to 5 hours. Imagine working half a day just to send one letter home.

2. Stationary and Pen Costs

It’s not just the stamp. Inmates must purchase "writing kits" or individual items from the commissary:

Envelopes: Often sold in packs, but at a markup.
Paper: Standard lined paper is a recurring expense.
Pens: Inmates are usually only allowed to buy specific, flexible security pens to prevent them from being used as weapons. These pens run out of ink quickly and must be replaced.

3. The Digital Alternative: CorrLinks & Tablets

Many U.S. prisons now use electronic messaging (like CorrLinks or JPay). While faster, these are not free:

Per-Minute or Per-Message Fees: Inmates are often charged by the minute to sit at a kiosk and type, or they must buy "stamps" (digital credits) to send an email.
The Cost: A 15-minute email session can cost as much as a physical stamp, but without the physical keepsake.

4. Why They Need Your Help

Because the cost of staying connected is so high compared to prison wages, families often play a vital role:

Commissary Deposits: Sending money to their trust account allows them to buy the stamps and paper they need to write back to you.
Virtual Mailboxes: Our Virtual Mailbox service at Sendinmatemail is a lifesaver here. Since domestic mail is cheaper than international, it allows inmates to write to our U.S. hub instead of paying high international rates to reach family abroad.

Make Their Effort Count

Every time your loved one sends you a letter, they are spending their hard-earned credits to reach you. You can support them by making sure your letters to them are high-quality, frequent, and easy to read.

Help them stay connected. [Send a letter and photos to boost their spirits today.]