Glad you've checked in here, because whilst browsing the EPCSO site, I found the "Inmate Mail" rules.
I know you've been nominated to strike up a Pen Pal correspondence with TS.
I think this is a brilliant idea, given her known predilection for pursuing military men.
I just want to make sure you're clear on the Do's and Don'ts, as I would hate to see you lose your writing privileges.
I've highlighted certain rules for emphasis:
Inmate Mail
SABBM:
Things you are allowed to send in:
- As many letters as you would like, and there is no limit on the length of the letter. Also, letters can be hand written or typed.
- Greeting cards, the plainer the better, standard size is best, but none larger than 8.5 x 11 inches when fully opened.
- Photographs (whether from a camera or computer), no more than 10 in an envelope, all photographs must be 4 x 6 inches or smaller. (A collage of pictures is allowed, be aware that each image in the collage counts to the maximum 10 allowed pictures.)
- Internet pages, no more than 10 in an envelope.
- Paperback books from a publisher or on line distributor (Barnes & Noble.com, Amazon.com, etc.), no blank journals are accepted, no more than 6 books are accepted, and none larger than 8.5 x 11 x 3 inches thick. All books must have a standard binding, no plastic or wire spiral bindings are accepted. (Be sure that the publisher or on line distributor understands to include an invoice that shows they are in fact an on line source). Multiple copies of the same book are not allowed.
- Magazines from the publisher or on line distributor (Barnes & Noble.com, Amazon.com, etc).
- Drawings created with erasable colored pencils, ball point pens, or lead pencil.
- Prescription reading glasses, no store bought reading glasses are accepted.
Things you are not allowed to send:
Letters and Cards:
- Inmate to Inmate correspondence is prohibited unless approved.
- Do not include any information about another inmate.
- Do not saturate contents of envelope with any kind of liquid.
- Do not laminate anything being sent in.
- No plastic, glass, metal, or sticky substance of any kind.
- No Stains on the letter or any of the contents in the envelope (make a copy of the item that is stained, no need to rewrite).
- No unknown substances caked on the letter or any of the contents in the envelope (make a copy of the item that has been stained by an unknown substance, no need to rewrite).
- No lipstick marks or other greasy/oily stains.
- No tape, glue, or foam adhesive pads.
- No construction paper or hard cardboard.
- No homemade cards, glitter/sparkles, soft foam figures, or confetti.
- No craft paper, scrapbook paper, or other specialty paper.
- No temporary tattoos or stickers (including address labels) inside the envelope on the letter, card, or photographs.
- No crayon, paint/water colors, gel pen, grease colored pencils, marker drawings, magnets, wax seals, food, or white out (tape or liquid).
- No staples, paperclips, or binder clips.
- No mechanical cards that light up or play music.
- No cards with plastic eyes, wire springs, ribbons, or feathers.
- No oversized cards, maximum size accepted is 8.5 x 11 inches when fully opened.
- No Lottery tickets, phone cards, credit/debit cards, or plastic prayer cards.
- No CD’s, DVD’s, cassettes, or records.
- No personal checks, unless the inmate needs to sign them for bills to be paid.
- No Social Security, Payroll, VA Compensation, Settlement, Reimbursement, Tax Refund, Dividend, or similar type checks will be placed on an inmate’s account. These types of checks will either be placed into the inmate’s property until the inmates release or the inmate can endorse them and mail them out.
<snip>
So, in a nutshell, you're allowed to write TS as many manifestos as you'd like.
You can even draw her pictures, as long as they aren't pornographic.
You can't send her money or drugs or cards that play music.
And no glittery, sticky stuff or lipstick kisses!
I know it sucks, but them's the rules.
Let me know if you need to borrow my colored pencils.
JMO.
