2012 SQ Mail Info, Question, & Concern Thread

[Bobbie_Wifey]

Originally Posted by MRSCLARK82702

Can anyone tell me if i can mail a letter to an inmate at sq without their housing information.... Like can i send a letter if i only have the cdc # and can anyone tell me the address to send mail to an inmate?? Thanks

First you write the inmate name and CDC #, 2nd line you put San Quentin State Prison or SQSP for short (that's what I put), Lastly San Quentin, CA 94974.

[MRSCLARK82702]

Thank you so much for the quick response <3

Originally Posted by bobbie_wifey

first you write the inmate name and cdc #, 2nd line you put san quentin state prison or sqsp for short (that's what i put), lastly san quentin, ca 94974.

[rosebud04]

Originally Posted by MRSCLARK82702

Can anyone tell me if i can mail a letter to an inmate at sq without their housing information.... Like can i send a letter if i only have the cdc # and can anyone tell me the address to send mail to an inmate?? Thanks

That's fine. I've always just wrote the CDC number, and then on the next line, their CDC number also goes after PO BOX

Inmate Name
CDC#000000
PO BOX #000000 (this number is the CDC number)
San Quentin, CA 94964 or 94974...both work

And to chime in on the slow mail talk...yeah it sux. The last couple weeks he has got some pieces in about 15 days...which still is long...but many are still taking about 3-4 weeks.

[NorcalMissy]

My son made his daddy a card at school, it has glue and stickers on it. Would I be able to bring that with me when I go visit this weekend? Since I know I can't actually mail it to him. Thanks ladies!

-Melissa

[KidzMom]

Originally Posted by NorcalMissy

My son made his daddy a card at school, it has glue and stickers on it. Would I be able to bring that with me when I go visit this weekend? Since I know I can't actually mail it to him. Thanks ladies!

-Melissa

Someone might have the "real" answer - but I thingk it will depend on whether it is a contact or non contact visit. The officer may have a heart and let you show it during a non contact visit. Stickers are not allowed in the mail and I think glue is also a problem so the restrictions would transfer to the contact visit I am guessing. I would bring it and bring a photocopy of it incase you can't bring it in (you should be able to bring in the photocopy). Bring it in a clear ziplock bag and if it cannot be brought in put it in a locker for your visit and send your hubby the photocopy.. Just my thoughts..GOOD LUCK Enjoy your visit!

[KidzMom]

I received a letter from my son on the 19th dated the 17th of June posted the 18th saying he just received the rest of my packages sent on the 15th of May EXCEPT the Stamps - AGAIN!! At least he finally received something. I wonder where all my mail goes? If he is only receiving a letter or two every several weeks and I send 3+ letters a week where are the rest going? Don't they return them to you if they are not acceptable? (County did) I don't say or send anything questionable unless telling my son that his brother bought a new gun or knife or bow is not allowed... (my other son collects these things). UUGGHH I can't wait until he is mainline and I can actually see him and find out what he is really receiving.

[rosebud04]

Originally Posted by KidzMom

I received a letter from my son on the 19th dated the 17th of June posted the 18th saying he just received the rest of my packages sent on the 15th of May EXCEPT the Stamps - AGAIN!! At least he finally received something. I wonder where all my mail goes? If he is only receiving a letter or two every several weeks and I send 3+ letters a week where are the rest going? Don't they return them to you if they are not acceptable? (County did) I don't say or send anything questionable unless telling my son that his brother bought a new gun or knife or bow is not allowed... (my other son collects these things). UUGGHH I can't wait until he is mainline and I can actually see him and find out what he is really receiving.

Your mail be actually going to the wrong cell...and then the inmate decides to keep the letter (especially if there are stamps in the envelope) or just pitch it. Some guys are good though, and will give the letter back to the CO, and let them know it was sent to the wrong cell.

This has happened many times to my boyfriend...actually this week, two of my letters went to the wrong cell. Letters of mine go to the wrong cell...it is opened and read by the inmate...the the inmate gives it back to the CO, so it can make it to my boyfriend. Usually my BF will get the letter that day...because it is usually just another guy on the tier who got his mail. One letter though, took a month to get back to my BF. It was given to an inmate in a TOTALLY different section of the prison. The inmate read it, took the 5 pix (sexy pix) I sent, then gave the letter back to the CO...and a month later my BF finally got the letter...without pix. Knock on wood, besides one card with stamps, all mail that has gone to the wrong cell has eventually made it to my bf.

I'm sure you are not writing anything wrong in your letters. But yes, they would mail them back to you, if they were not acceptable. Talking about a knife, gun or bow is fine.

I'm so sorry to hear he is missing so many letters. So, you are cetain he is missing several? Or does he reply to the letters, and maybe you are not receiving his letters?

[KidzMom]

I suppose going to another cell is a possibility... I know he is not getting mail because he writes that he has not received mail but every couple of weeks. And...I am not sure how he is to write me back when he does not get the stamps!!! This last letter was sent in the envelope provided by the prison...I just don't know...about anything... Since he is in reception we cannot talk and I have not been able to visit in forever because his unit is constantly on lockdown. I can only go by the 1 or 2 letters I receive a month.. (I was getting 1 a week....until the past few months)

I am sorry your mail gets all messed up too! It seems so unfair - I don't have a problem with others reading my mail cuz he is my son - ya know - but if he was my man...I would be a lot more upset!! Although I suppose I would not want my son to suffer any taunting from what - a mother - says to him in his letters. Sometime I scold, cry, say stupid stuff just to try and make him smile. I sent lots of silly animal pictures that I know in private he will enjoy but might not be the best for him to get a kick out of in public for embarresments sake.

Oh well, I am just praying for mainline soon

[appygal]

I've been writing to SQ for almost 10 years now. Mail always has and unfortunately probably always will be slow.
One tip that may help you is always write the inmates full name and CDC number on the back of everything you send. i. e. Pictures, stamps and any documents. Don't think I've had any lost or mis-delivered mail since doing this.

Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using PrisonTalk

[GsMom]

In the latest letter from my son, he said it's taking 3 1/2 weeks for mail to get to him. On the other hand, it's taking his letters 4 DAYS to get to me.

[pj663]

It seems to be getting better more like two weeks instead of three. That's still ashame but hey.....

[daisy3]

ladies...just received word from east block regarding a NEW procedure that we must use when writing to our gentlemen. this memo just came out today and is noted below as the line by line way we need to address our envelope:

NAME - CDC NUMBER
CSP - SAN QUENTIN
HOUSING UNIT - CELL#
SAN QUENTIN, CA. 94974

what i believe happened is that someone wrote a complaint letter and the mailroom staff most probably said mail was slow due to the addressing (our fault - really?) or the US postal service. so this new and improved procedure will most probably "help" the mailroom staff process our mail at a more efficient pace: or at least what is the expected standard. what this does is gives them no excuse, perhaps. because now the mailroom staff knows they were called-out in a HUGE way

at least for now and until the next time...

[appygal]

Thanks for the info!
I've always addressed my letters this way, could be why I don't seem to have as many problems as some report?
Just a thought. ;-)

Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using PrisonTalk

[KidzMom]

I was putting the cell number on the letters but my son said since they move them alot in reception that it takes longer because the mail gets delivered to the wrong cell - then MAYBE gets returned to be redistributed. Then the mail room staff still needs to look up the current location BUT since that takes time... it gets put on the back burner.....
So---I don't know. I would think if he was not in reception it would be a totally different story.

P.S. It does seem that he has started getting letters a bit more quickly this past few weeks... I have gotten one letter a week for 3 weeks running and his answers to my questions seem to be coming faster! But...He still has not received the stamps I sent on the 15th of May as of his June 28 letter

[appygal]

Ah yea reception is much different.
I'm afraid you are right and the stamps have 'gone missing' try writing his name and DOC number on the back of the stamps next time that seems to discourage theft.
Good luck and I am glad that the letters are getting faster for you :-)

Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using PrisonTalk

[Bobbie_Wifey]

Originally Posted by appygal

Ah yea reception is much different.
I'm afraid you are right and the stamps have 'gone missing' try writing his name and DOC number on the back of the stamps next time that seems to discourage theft.
Good luck and I am glad that the letters are getting faster for you :-)

Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using PrisonTalk

on the stamps part.. when I wrote my babe and I've sent him stamps and wrote his info. on them, but as soon he got my stamps, he wrote me back saying the stamps ain't no good because they are not worth anything (all because I wrote his info. on them). he's in reception also.

[KidzMom]

Originally Posted by Bobbie_Wifey

on the stamps part.. when I wrote my babe and I've sent him stamps and wrote his info. on them, but as soon he got my stamps, he wrote me back saying the stamps ain't no good because they are not worth anything (all because I wrote his info. on them). he's in reception also.

YUUPP!! They can't trade them when they are marked and ...they can only trade books of 20 (my post office auto dispense has 18 stamp books) outside thier "race". So I try to send 18 stamp books (and I did mark them yesterday to hopefully get them delivered to him and with the hopes he will to use them on ME!!) for his personal use and 20 stamp unmarked books so he can trade. He says because he is on lockdown (Badger unit white) that the only way he can get commisary items is to trade stamps.

[micheleshinn]

does anyone know what number I can call to get imformation on inmates number so I can send stamps etc.? Im so new to this whole thing. I cant seem to get through to anyone. help!

[cricket7]

Originally Posted by micheleshinn

does anyone know what number I can call to get imformation on inmates number so I can send stamps etc.? Im so new to this whole thing. I cant seem to get through to anyone. help!

If you are trying to find his CDCR number, go to this site and put his name in. It will give you his CDCR number:

http://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/default.aspx

[Bobbie_Wifey]

Hello ladies i have a question. On sending pictures, can it be the ones that you can take by a disposable camera?, because i've been sending my babe pics by printing them out on printer paper, and he wants me to take pics with my daugther and also some naughty pics hint hint lol. Thanks ladies

[vikkihulluk]

Hi i was wondering if anyone can help me i want to send stamps over but as i am in the UK are having trouble trying to locate them ebay is a minefield as i'm unsure of what i am looking for and alot don't post overseas and i need them sending here so i can put his info on them...so if anyone is from the UK and have managed to buy them or if anyone else can help could you include links to sites aswell please, thanks guys

[vikkihulluk]

Originally Posted by Bobbie_Wifey

Hello ladies i have a question. On sending pictures, can it be the ones that you can take by a disposable camera?, because i've been sending my babe pics by printing them out on printer paper, and he wants me to take pics with my daugther and also some naughty pics hint hint lol. Thanks ladies

Hi i send my guy pics printed from home on normal paper and he said you can send more as they are not classed as photos and that these are not checked as thoroughly so more naughty pics get through, i've not personally tried it yet as i ran out of ink lol but the worse that will happen is the pics don't get to him i guess

[rosebud04]

Originally Posted by Bobbie_Wifey

Hello ladies i have a question. On sending pictures, can it be the ones that you can take by a disposable camera?, because i've been sending my babe pics by printing them out on printer paper, and he wants me to take pics with my daugther and also some naughty pics hint hint lol. Thanks ladies

You can use a disposable camera for pix. Just no polaroids.

[KidzMom]

My son says it seems that mail is running a bit quicker now.. for now. I sure hope thats true for everyone....!!! He still has not received the stamps I sent both on May 15th and July 2nd I have started sending one stamped envelope with every letter....hoping something will get thru!

[Bobbie_Wifey]

Originally Posted by KidzMom

My son says it seems that mail is running a bit quicker now.. for now. I sure hope thats true for everyone....!!! He still has not received the stamps I sent both on May 15th and July 2nd I have started sending one stamped envelope with every letter....hoping something will get thru!

I hate to say this to you but more than likely the stamps that you've sent to your son in May, he should of already had gotten those, or it could of be misplaced or given to the wrong inmate. But the ones that you've sent him recently he should get those sometime this week. My babe even told me that mail is getting better as far as receiving.