Guidelines for Sending Mail and Money to Prisoners in Victoria

Individuals wishing to send letters, property, or money to loved ones in Victorian prisons should follow specific guidelines to ensure successful delivery.

To send postal mail directly to a prisoner, it is essential to address the letter to the specific prison where the individual is located. For those who are unsure about the prison location, they can send their mail to Corrections Victoria, which will redirect the correspondence accordingly.

The mailing address to use for sending mail when the prison is unknown is as follows: [Person’s first name and surname] c/- Corrections Victoria GPO Box 123 Melbourne VICTORIA 3001 AUSTRALIA.

In the letter, senders are encouraged to inquire whether they are on the recipient’s visitation list, as this can provide clarity regarding their current prison location. It is important to note that there are restrictions on the content of the letters sent to prisoners, particularly concerning the safety and security protocols within the prison system.

Those interested in sending money to a prisoner must be on their visit list, a record that indicates individuals approved to visit the inmate. However, it is permitted to send funds to someone who has been incarcerated for fewer than seven days without being on this list.

To secure a spot on the visitation list, the person in prison should be contacted and asked to add the individual to the list. For sending money, options include posting a money order or bank cheque directly to the prison.

Prisoners can receive a maximum of $150 per calendar month and an additional $70 for their phone account. Any amount exceeding $150 will automatically be allocated to the phone account.

When sending money orders or bank cheques, it is advisable to include a return address in case the item needs to be returned. The quantity and type of items permissible to send vary by prison, and it is recommended to consult the specific prison’s guidelines for clarity.

All mail is subject to inspection, except for correspondence sent by legal practitioners, which is exempt from such checks if marked as legal mail. If an inmate is transferred or hospitalized for an extended period, their mail will be forwarded accordingly.