freetheprisoner
08-01-08, 07:34 PM
Salam alaykum all,
I have received a bit of information through contacting belmarsh, etc, about the rules relating to sending letters to Category A prisoners, that others who want to write might find useful.
When writing, you should do the following :-
a. Write their prison Number as well as their name
b. include a return name and postcode both on the letter as well as the envelope ( i have heard that this may not be necessary, however there is no accounting for over-zealous prison officers who want to ruin someones day)
c. Send any mail at the very least "recorded - signed for". I have heard that in this case, the prison must open the letter in their presence.
d. the envelope size should not be bigger than A5
e. Letters can be handwritten or typed
Also, the prisoners cannot receive, in most cases :-
a. Stamps or self addressed-envelopes
b. books, tapes, cds, clothes, etc. Instead, these must be ordered using their own private cash (more about that later )
Sending money :-
Money is the only way that prisoners can get the resources to write back to you, as they cannot receive stamps. to send :-
a. Dont send cash, as it may go missing
b. cheques take 10 days to clear
c. Most efficient is postal order. Check with the prison on how these should be completed, however in most cases you :-
i. make PO payable to HM Prison Service
ii. On the back of the PO, you must write prisoners name and number
iii. on the back of the PO, you must also write your name and address.
Hope this helps inshallah, please let me know if you think anything is inaccurate
Ws
Umar
I have received a bit of information through contacting belmarsh, etc, about the rules relating to sending letters to Category A prisoners, that others who want to write might find useful.
When writing, you should do the following :-
a. Write their prison Number as well as their name
b. include a return name and postcode both on the letter as well as the envelope ( i have heard that this may not be necessary, however there is no accounting for over-zealous prison officers who want to ruin someones day)
c. Send any mail at the very least "recorded - signed for". I have heard that in this case, the prison must open the letter in their presence.
d. the envelope size should not be bigger than A5
e. Letters can be handwritten or typed
Also, the prisoners cannot receive, in most cases :-
a. Stamps or self addressed-envelopes
b. books, tapes, cds, clothes, etc. Instead, these must be ordered using their own private cash (more about that later )
Sending money :-
Money is the only way that prisoners can get the resources to write back to you, as they cannot receive stamps. to send :-
a. Dont send cash, as it may go missing
b. cheques take 10 days to clear
c. Most efficient is postal order. Check with the prison on how these should be completed, however in most cases you :-
i. make PO payable to HM Prison Service
ii. On the back of the PO, you must write prisoners name and number
iii. on the back of the PO, you must also write your name and address.
Hope this helps inshallah, please let me know if you think anything is inaccurate
Ws
Umar