Yes, in most facilities, incarcerated individuals are allowed to make outbound phone calls. These are typically collect calls or made through prepaid phone accounts and may be more expensive than standard calls, as facilities often profit from them. Call duration is usually limited to around 10 to 15 minutes. We encourage caution when sharing your phone number, as frequent calls can become costly over time.

Some facilities allow incarcerated individuals to receive emails through approved services like JPay, Access Corrections, and others. However, these services are typically not free. In many cases, inmates can receive emails but must respond by postal mail—so it's important to include your mailing address in your message.

The availability of email varies by state and facility. For example:

In Texas, inmates may receive emails but must reply via postal mail.

In Washington, they may be able to both send and receive emails through JPay.

In federal facilities, they often use AccessCorrections, and the inmate must first add you to their contact list.

We recommend sending your first letter via postal mail and asking if they have access to email. Many will note this in their profile or ad.

That number is the inmate’s Department of Corrections (DOC) identification number. It is required when sending mail or submitting certain forms. Always include it alongside the prisoner’s name—without it, your letter may not be delivered by the facility.

In most cases, no—but policies vary by facility. For your first letter, we recommend sending only a handwritten or typed message and, if allowed, a printed photo (never a Polaroid). Do not include gifts, stamps, or other items unless the inmate confirms what is permitted at their specific institution. Always ask them directly or consult the facility’s mail guidelines.

Yes! Be genuine and respectful. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and many incarcerated individuals deeply value meaningful connection and kindness. Mail is often a bright spot in their day, so be yourself and write with sincerity. Avoid sending anything inappropriate or disrespectful—especially sexually explicit content—as this may prevent them from responding or even receiving your letter.

Yes, international mail is welcomed by most facilities. Just be aware that it may cost the inmate extra to send a reply. As of recent rates, international postage for a standard one-ounce letter is around $1.50, but rates may vary. While rare, a few institutions may have their own policies regarding international correspondence. We recommend asking the inmate directly if international mail is permitted in their facility.

Yes. You can find our full disclaimer in the About Us section of the website. It outlines our mission, services, and important policies to ensure transparency and clarity.

No. For security and privacy reasons, all changes or removal requests must come directly from the incarcerated individual who created the listing. They must submit their request in writing and mail it to our office. This policy ensures that their information remains protected and is only updated at their own direction.

Yes! You can email us to request that we send an application to the inmate. Please contact us at info@eliteprimeservices.com or use the Contact Us section on our website to submit your request.

Yes. Many states provide this information publicly on their Department of Corrections websites. You can look up the inmate by name or ID through the facility’s online inmate search. In some cases, the crime may also be listed in the inmate’s profile or bio on our website. Please keep in mind that we share only the information that has been made publicly available or provided by the inmate directly.

Yes. Without your return address, the inmate will not be able to write you back. Some facilities even discard the envelope and deliver only the letter, so it’s best to include your return address on both the envelope and the letter itself.

If you're concerned about privacy, consider using a P.O. box or a virtual mailing address.

No. You must be at least 18 years old to use our services or correspond with an incarcerated individual. For the safety and well-being of all parties, we do not allow anyone under 18 to participate.

No. It is possible that some may get listed if it does not show up on the DOC website or an internet search fails to discover that the inmate has sex offenses.

It’s important to use caution when corresponding with anyone in custody. While many incarcerated individuals are seeking genuine connection, there are instances where misleading information may be shared.

Be aware of the following:

Fake or outdated photos: Some individuals may submit old pictures due to limited access to updated ones. We do not remove these if the photo is truly of them.

Misstating age: An individual may present themselves as younger than they are.

Inaccurate release dates: Some may share optimistic or estimated parole dates. In cases of clear misrepresentation (e.g., claiming to be released soon while serving a life sentence), we will take action.

Requests for money: While some may sincerely need help with basic items like stamps or stationery, others may exaggerate their needs or fabricate stories.

Our advice: Do not send money unless you feel completely comfortable—and only in small amounts for necessities. Let trust build over time through regular communication.

The most common reason is an incorrect or incomplete mailing address.

To avoid this, always write the address exactly as shown on the inmate’s profile, including their inmate ID or control number. Even small errors can cause mail to be rejected or returned.

Also, make sure to include a complete and accurate return address on both the envelope and the letter. If the address the inmate provided to us is incorrect, unfortunately, we are limited in what we can do, as we post only the information they submit.