hey...i sent hardcover books to my boyfriend and they sent them back along with a list of things you can/cannot send. this is from North Kern State Prison, but I'm assuming it applies to all california state prisons. i wish i had the list earlier, but for all who need to know... here it is....

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT ALLOWED AND WILL BE RETURNED


1. No Cash. Money orders or Personal checks only. Must be complete with sender's info. No Blank checks or money orders.
2. Newspaper, Books, and magazines must come directly from the publisher or vendor. (books for A and E yards only)
3. No book for reception center inmates. No Hardcover books.
4. No metal, plastic, cloth, string, wood, plastic clips, paper lamination, parchment paper, ribbon, flowers, candy, lipstick, or perfume.
5. No whiteout, crayon, markers, pencils, pens, or paints or any kind.
6. No jewelry, clothing, food or cosmetic items of any kind.
7. No polaroid pictures or negatives. No more than 10 photos per letter.
8. Nothing gang related. No written codes, gang signs or tattoos.
9. No glue, tape, stickers, glitter, labels or post-it notes. Nothing glued or laminated.
10. No CD's or cassette tapes allowed.
11. No calendars, maps, or date books. No address books or prepaid phone cards.
12. No padded envelopes, blank greeting cards, blank post cards or musical cards.
13. No more than 50 sheets of paper per letter for Mainline. 25 sheets for reception.
14. No more than 5 blank envelopes and 20 embossed envelopes per letter. No metered envelopes.
15. No nude, partially nude or frontal nudity photos or drawings. All photos must have the CDC# on each photo.
16. No original certified items such as marriage licenses and birth certificates.
17. No stamps allowed. No hand stamped envelopes.
18. Nothing larger than 8 x 10. No envelopes larger than 9 x 12.
19. No three party mail


-----again, every prison might be different in california, i'm not sure. this is for Delano, but i would think it applies to all. hope this is useful.

Thanks!

Yeah there are a few differences. Once out of reception, they can get CDs and books. Also, I sent my guy a dictionary in Delano reception and they let it through for some strange reason. I never knew about putting his CDC number on photos and they always got through.

Thanks for posting this!
At Pelican Bay they can recieve blank cards and post cards

they should have this stuff posted on the CDC website, but of course, they don't make anything easy for us...lol.

Well you know what they say "Live and learn." And that's exactly what we have to do with these d@mn prisons.

Once out of reception, they can get CDs .
Even after getting out of reception at North Kern my brother was not allowed to have CDs sent in (like from Amazon)-they might be able to order them themselves though - not sure.

Just wanted to add, that some things are universal. They are not allowed at any California State Prison. However, each prison makes it's own procedure for inmate allowable property, so that list will be different from prison to prison.

After looking at the list, I'm wondering what is allowed. No care packages, nothing really. This is my first experience with this.

echopark- after they are out of reception and 'mainlined', depending on regulations and their status at the time, they can usually be sent quarterly packages.

care packages from approved vendors is something seperate from this. this list is only for what we personally can send to them. i'm not sure, but i don't think reception center inmates can receive vendor packages...anyone know if this is true?

nm...my question was answered in the reply above me...lol

does anyone know what c-status is

C-Status is given to inmates who have been determined to be program failures (refusing to work, go to school, etc.)

Some of the restrictions on C-Status Inmates:

(A) No family visits.



(B) One‑fourth the maximum monthly canteen draw as authorized by the director.



(C) Telephone calls on an emergency basis only as determined by institution/facility staff.



(D) Yard access limited by local institution/facility security needs. No access to any other recreational or entertainment activities.



(E) No accrual of excused time off.



(F) No special packages.



(G) No special canteen purchases.



Just a note on the yard restriction. Where I work inmates on C-Status get yard/dayroom 2 hours per day (Usually 2-4 pm) Monday - Friday.

Thanks!

Yeah there are a few differences. Once out of reception, they can get CDs and books. Also, I sent my guy a dictionary in Delano reception and they let it through for some strange reason. I never knew about putting his CDC number on photos and they always got through.
Holly shit....they can get CD's! Are you sure about that? Does anyone know if they can for sure get CD's at C.S.P. SAC. in Represa? That would be super cool to send!

Also......NO Calendars.....whats up with that! I sent my pal a canlendar a couple weeks ago....I'll let you know if it makes it through or not. I sent one into a Washington prison and they let it go????? We'll see!

Yeah they can get CD's...I am not sure what it is like on mainline but on deathrow they are only allowed 12 in their possession. So I always double check to see exactly how many he has before I send him another or else the excess gets trashed :(

Here's the next logical question. If they can get cds, how do they get cd players?

At some prisons anyway, they can order the cd players themselves from catalogs that are in the prison .

Does anyone know what an N Status Means. Thanks

My Man Is At Ironwood State Prison And I Dont Have To Put The Cdc Number On The Back And I Always Send About 15 Envelopes....i Guess Every Hell Is Different

I was told by the mail room that putting the CDC # on the back of photos assures that your loved one will get them if they get separated from the letter. If the handler drops your picture out of the envelope, they have no way of knowing which inmate it belongs to without the number on the back.

Are there any magazines that are not allowed?

Where my husband is, Ironwood, I can only send him 20 envelopes, 20 stamps, 100 sheet of paper and 20 photographs. Those are the only personal items I can send him. The rest I send from Access.

My husband has a friend in their that made our daughter a beautiful beaded indian necklace so my husband sent it to her in a card and they took it, we got the card but no necklace.

So they check the mail in and out.

HI all
my guy is CHDP and he can have 40 envelopes, 2 tablets and my mind went blank on the stamps.
he was just transfered there from Lancaster.
where can i find info or for him to find way to be transsfered out of this place? (CHDP)

DAMNIT! I wish I'd found this thread two hours ago....I just mailed a dozen envelopes and a sheet of stamps...guess I'll cross my fingers and hit the post office tomorrow for the embossed ones. Thanks so much for posting this, I've been totally lost, this is all new to me.

So in reception at Delano, they can't receive books, but can they receive magazines?

Stephanie

I have sent loads of books to by honey in Wasco R/C. He has received all of them, at least 20 if not more. I have ordered from Amazon.com and several other vendors. The only problems I have had is if they send it in a padded envelope and they can only receive 2 in one package.
Good Luck. . . . .

My friend is at the SHU in Corcoran. Do these apply to him? I can't find the rules for what to send to him anyplace :(

My friend is at the SHU in Corcoran. Do these apply to him? I can't find the rules for what to send to him anyplace :(
Ditto...

I can't find them either.

most of there vendors are Walkenhorst and Access pack for packages. The vendors also send out cd's. Theres also a place called music by mail that they can order cd's through. I heard they can only have 10 cd's in possession.

CD's must go through the quarterly package, it is no longer special purchase. They are allowed to receive 10 in each quarterly package. All vendors carry CD's. If you have any other quaestion please ask.



most of there vendors are Walkenhorst and Access pack for packages. The vendors also send out cd's. Theres also a place called music by mail that they can order cd's through. I heard they can only have 10 cd's in possession.

CD's must go through the quarterly package, it is no longer special purchase. They are allowed to receive 10 in each quarterly package. All vendors carry CD's. If you have any other quaestion please ask.I have a question about the online catalogs. Can you tell me why vendors place items on the list that are not allowed into the CDC prisons? We are new to the special/quarterly packages. We got a list from Matt and he wanted a CD Player. Went on line to the Access catalog for California Correctional Center special packages. To our surprise they had non-clear CD players and non-clear AC adapters. So since they were on the list we naively assumed they were approved and ordered them. They didn't ship them because they are not approved. Why bother having an itemized list on a prison by prison basis and have items on those lists that are not approved????

Signed
Confused in Corona
:D

CD's must go through the quarterly package, it is no longer special purchase. They are allowed to receive 10 in each quarterly package. All vendors carry CD's. If you have any other quaestion please ask.
My Son is at CSATF and when I tried to order a CD Player as a special purchase, the site flashed a message that said written prior approval is required. Do I need to get my son to get this approval and send it to me? Wanted to get this as a birthday present surprise :( . Also, I read somewhere that books are now considered special purchase and need prior approval at CSATF. Does anyone know the answers to these questions? Am new. Tried calling CSATF but can never get the operator to answer there and direct my call.

Special purchase, you do need a form from the inmate with authorization that he is allowed the item. Books are still special purchase. PM me if you want the direct number with ext on who to speak to.



My Son is at CSATF and when I tried to order a CD Player as a special purchase, the site flashed a message that said written prior approval is required. Do I need to get my son to get this approval and send it to me? Wanted to get this as a birthday present surprise :( . Also, I read somewhere that books are now considered special purchase and need prior approval at CSATF. Does anyone know the answers to these questions? Am new. Tried calling CSATF but can never get the operator to answer there and direct my call.

The best thing to do with Access is call. When placing the order they should be able to tell you if it is allowed or not. They dont update there catalog online to offten and that causes problems. I am almost sure that they offer those products in clear.



I have a question about the online catalogs. Can you tell me why vendors place items on the list that are not allowed into the CDC prisons? We are new to the special/quarterly packages. We got a list from Matt and he wanted a CD Player. Went on line to the Access catalog for California Correctional Center special packages. To our surprise they had non-clear CD players and non-clear AC adapters. So since they were on the list we naively assumed they were approved and ordered them. They didn't ship them because they are not approved. Why bother having an itemized list on a prison by prison basis and have items on those lists that are not approved????

Signed
Confused in Corona
:D

The stamps and envelopes got to him....I guess it depends on the clerk who processes that piece of mail and how his love life is going:rolleyes: DAMNIT! I wish I'd found this thread two hours ago....I just mailed a dozen envelopes and a sheet of stamps...guess I'll cross my fingers and hit the post office tomorrow for the embossed ones. Thanks so much for posting this, I've been totally lost, this is all new to me.

CD's must go through the quarterly package, it is no longer special purchase. They are allowed to receive 10 in each quarterly package. All vendors carry CD's. If you have any other quaestion please ask.Actually, the post by SHORDEE was correct. DOM Section 54030.17 provides a list of items that inmates are allowed to possess, and the amounts they are allowed to possess. In this case 10 is the limit. So, if your inmate has 10 CDs and you want to send him one in a package, he may have to select one to send home at his expense.

What about pens? Cause Access doesnt have them and I dont really like PackagesRus (no offense) can we send those just thru regular mail?

sent my husband 25 sheets paper 15 envolopes and 8 bic pens--he got everthing even the pens, even though it said 5 clear bic pens I could not find 5 pens in a package they all came in 8 or 10 also sent him envoples using the usps and he got them all he is still i reception which must be the worst part of this whole thing.

At Pelican Bay.......You can send (40) embossed stamped envelopes or (20) embossed stamped envelopes and (20) stamped postcards.......500 sheets of writing paper, (5) manilla envelopes different sizes.

Can anyone tell me how to check on mail getting through to reception center?? My husband was in Chico, and the day my first letter and mo should have arrived he got transfered to DVI. I called Chico and they said all his mail would be forwarded, but as to date he has recieved nothing from me. At least as of the 12th he had not. The mo should have been in DVI at the latest by the 10th.

Can anyone tell me how to check on mail getting through to reception center?? My husband was in Chico, and the day my first letter and mo should have arrived he got transfered to DVI. I called Chico and they said all his mail would be forwarded, but as to date he has recieved nothing from me. At least as of the 12th he had not. The mo should have been in DVI at the latest by the 10th.
Reroute mail, as it is called inside, does not go fast at all. It is up to the institution to literally take it to it's home. It is not forwarded through the USPS. My husbands reroute mail has taken even up to a couple of months.

Does anyone know what kind of magazines can be sent to SVSP?

i guess it is different in every prison. my lovey is at Ironwood and i called the mail room they saud they were allowed 100 sheets of paper 20 envelopes and 100 stamps i sent all that but only a book of 20 stamps, i hope it getsto him!! he did ask me for a cd player, and they have them on the california inmate package but do i need a form from him?? Plus theres no cd's there how can i send him cd's?? i dont know its weird i need to talk to him on that! he has 5 months but still i want o send hima radio or cd player but i dont know from whre, the website that has the cd player doesnt have cd's it says coming soon!! ok bye!! =)

What about San Quentin? or federal prisons?

I just called NKSP on Friday about sending envelopes, stamps, paper, etc. I also asked about sending money to reception inmates and was told MONEY ORDER ONLY. I also asked the Mail room if there was any way i could get a copy of mail rules/do's & dont's and was told they would only TELL me what they COULD get.

A couple of weeks ago I sen a wrapper from Mcdonalds...he was so desperate for outside food. I hope the smell lasted LOL. And I haven't gotten it back yet either...cross fingers

When my son was at HDSP for reception he could have 20 envelopes, 40 sheets of paper and a book of stamps. I also sent him lots of books from a local used book store. The store had to send it though. Now my son is at ccc and I can only send him stamps, no paper or envelopes. He can still get books though. I always send stories from the internet, jokes, pictures, puzzles. Just misc. stuff. I also copy photos I have of family members on my copy machine and I send everything in a big envelope like a 10x13 or something. Also the vendor that I use for ccc is union direct and the cd's and player is considered a special package not a quarterly. Hope this helps someone.

Thanks for posting this. Its really helpful.

I have sent my boyfiend ( he's at CIM - Chino) in reception, 50 sheets of loose- blank paper, 20 envelopes, 20 stamps, 10 pictures, 10 internet pages, blank greeting card (it was for his nephew's first birthday; maybe thats why it went through). But they do take out the word searches that I have sent him. But the above items did get to him. I also noticed that when I send things in large manilla envelopes, it gets to him ALOT faster.

Good Luck Everyone!

I have been sendin word searches that I get off the internet (10 at a time) to both San Quentin and CCC and never had a problem with them getting in. I actually send my fiance in SQ between 5 and 10 with every letter I send him becuase he shares them his buddies.

Hi
I was just wondering.... not allowed to send them pencils? Right? or am I wrong? Anyone know? Thankx

i don't think that pencils are allowed to be sent (svsp). i send him large envelopes,10 each time,twice per month, a book of 20 stamps per letter twice per month ,jokes,puzzles,perfumed cards but as the mail is slow i wonder how faded is the scent :confused: ,i also send over size cards.

I also noticed that when I send things in large manilla envelopes, it gets to him ALOT faster.

I also noticed this. I sent my man a blank greeting card in a larger manilla envelope and he got it in only 3 days. Compared to the usual 2 weeks that it usually takes.

Yeah light....

I'm alittle slow I noticed that just over the last few weeks he received A big envelope before letters I had sent 1-2 weeks ago. I wonder why that is you would think it would be the opposite..... Do you know what the rules sre about pencils?>

There is no one list that applies to all facilities- Some thing are always prohibited, like tobacco, books sent from home, photographs featuring full nudity, but the specifics vary too much from one prison to the next for one list to be relied upon.In each of the Prison Guides (http://prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230259) is a list of mail rules for that facility, so check the guide for your facility and when in doubt, call the mailroom..