What Happens if a Letter to an Inmate Cannot Be Delivered?

What are the most common reasons for a prison letter to be undeliverable? In the prison system, mail is usually returned for specific security or administrative reasons. These include the inmate being transferred to a different facility, the inmate being released, the facility refusing the mail due to violations (such as stickers, perfume, or unauthorized photos), or the envelope lacking a correct Inmate Identification/Booking Number.

How does the official "Return to Sender" (RTS) process work? If a letter cannot be delivered, the USPS or the prison mailroom marks the envelope with a reason code (such as No Such Street, Unable to Forward, or Refused). The letter is then sent back to the return address listed on the envelope. This return mail travels slower than outgoing mail, taking 10 to 20 business days to return to the sender.

What happens if the return address on the envelope is incorrect? If the return address on the envelope is unreadable or incorrect, the USPS sends the letter to the Dead Letter Office (Mail Recovery Center). Once a piece of mail reaches this stage, it becomes very difficult—and often entirely impossible—to recover.

How does Sendinmatemail handle letters that are returned? Sendinmatemail prints your return address clearly to USPS standards to minimize risks. If a letter is returned to our facility because it could not reach the inmate, we notify you immediately. We can then help you update the inmate's new location if they were transferred, allowing you to resend the mail without starting from scratch..