How it Works

It's very simple, when you send a message our mail processors print the letter, stuff it in an envelope, stamp it and mail it on your behalf through the US Postal Service. The envelope is addressed to the address you provide and has your return address listed in the upper right hand corner. If you attach a photo to your message, your photo is printed on 4x6 inch photo paper and mailed along with your letter.

Getting Started:
Click the Sign Up button to create your account. The information provided here will be used for the RETURN ADDRESS on the letters you send so please use the mailing address you would like the inmates to write you back at. You can manage this information anytime by clicking "My Profile" in your account.

Manage Your Address Book:
Add the names and addresses of the inmates you keep in contact with to your Address Book. They will be stored here until you delete their accounts. We need the complete mailing address as this is what will be printed on the envelope. You can always update these addresses anytime to keep them current as inmates occasionally get transferred.

Add Credits to Your Account
10 Mail Credits - $10
20 Mail Credits - $20
30 Mail Credits - $30

At EmailingAPrisoner.com we charge 1 mail credit per letter (up to 3000 words) and 1 mail credit for each photo you send. To add Mail Credits to your account click on the Deposit link under "My Account". There you will be able to add funds to your account in increments of $10, $20, or $30 via Paypal through a secure connection. If you don't have a Paypal account you can still pay by selecting "Continue" next to "Don't Have a Paypal Account" on the payment page. Once you have deposited funds you can begin sending messages and photos.

Sending Messages:
To send a message to an inmate, simply click on "Compose New". Select the name of the inmate you wish to write by clicking the drop down button in the "Send To" section. The drop down will list alphabetically the names of all the inmates you have stored in your address book. Then type your message in the box below and hit "Send".

Adding Photos:
You can add up to 5 photos at a time to each letter. Simply add photos by clicking the "browse" box on the compose message page and upload the files from your computer. Please use .jpg or .gif files only. Also, please submit photos that are large enough to print on 4x6 photo paper. It's easier for us to shrink a photo rather than stretch a small photo. Go big!

Receive Incoming Mail from Inmates:
We have an incoming message service for your convenience. To turn on the incoming mail forwarding service click Mail Forwarding in your account panel and turn it to "On" and hit submit. Your address will be replaced with ours on all your future mailings.

Tell your pen pals to write to you at:

Your Name
c/o EmailingAPrisoner.com
8033 Sunset Blvd #7000
Los Angeles CA 90046

Messages take usually around 6-7 days from the time they are sent until the time they are in your inbox which is still faster than overseas mail and it also only costs the inmate a First Class stamp.

Using our incoming messaging servince can also protect the privacy of your home address if you don't want to give that out to an inmate.

We charge $1 per 3 pages, front and back, and $1 for each additional 3 pages front and back. We can also scan photos and they count as 1 page.

Getting Help and Support, and "Inbox":
If you ever need help or support with our site, simply "Compose a New" message addressed to "Support" and send your inquiry. Your question or concern will be replied to (if necessary) and a response will be returned to you in your "Inbox". Only messages from EmailingAPrisoner.com will come to your Inbox. Inmates do not have access to computers and they will not be replying electronically to your messages.