I was wondering what can I mail in besides letters,drawings,and photos? I also mail in crosswords,and newspaper clippings. I'd like to mail him some magazines,comic books,some books that aren't too thick.
So how do I go about asking for what is OK to send in. Are all Institutions different in Canada? He's in Millhaven,right now.
Thanks for your help!

Have you tried asking him...I mean he's probably the best person that can answer that...they pretty much know rules and regulations.

I dont know about milhaven but in kingston you can not mail in magazines...just call milhaven. They were always good with me when I called. Seeing that it's the first stop in the federal system.

Hi My husband is a lifer. I have LOTS OF EXPERIENCE with CSC and their rules. First ,it depends on if it is a max, min or med. It depends what province it is in and what restrictions are on his file. He must fill out a ton of stuff to get clearance for you to send anything. If it is anything other than some pages from a mag it won't go through. I take the cover off mags and send them to my honey. Nothing pornographic or suggestive can go to ANY institution no matter the level of security. Nothing that could be used as a weapon, not even a bottle of cologne that can be broken and ground to a knife. Even toothbrushes have been filed to use as knives. The rules are designed to protect those who are inside and those that might be taken advantage of by inmates with bad intentions. It also punishes those of us with family inside. (they say it isn't intentional just a fact of life in prison that security is a prob). You need to talk to the inmate. He can tell you whether it is WORTH it or not. The ipso and some guards can be really sticky about a guy who gets a ton of mail they have to go through and make that guy pretty uncomfortable. Know too that other inmates can get jealous about an inmates good fortune. Really it is for him you want to do this, let him decide what is ok and what he is willing to go through the hoops enough to let you do that. Oh one last thing, sometimes family gets the ok to send things. Christmas gifts etc. Find out if he is able to do that. If so and you are in contact with his family, slip a little thing in their box to him with just your initial as a from signature and tell him it is coming on the phone. It might be a way to get a little something through without breaking rules or making things difficult for him. By the way, we once spent 4 months getting permission for me to send him a blanket. Really sometimes it just isn't worth it. By the way he has to make a different application for EACH item. Good luck to you !
Lina Shiningdrum

Mitakuye Oyasin

From experience I think maybe ask him in your next letter. The first letter I sent to my father in law, I had sent many pictures, drawings from the kids, a calendar and a deck of cards. I got a letter back with the calendar and the deck of cards...apparently they are not allowed. The letter I got back came from the prison themselves (since they open all mail before handing it over to the prisoner). It states exactly in the letter what I can and cannot send. Hope that helps you!!