What's the Best Way to Write to a Prisoner in Michigan?

The Michigan Department of Corrections department heads the state of Michigan's parole, prisons, and probation population. It manages about 31 prison facilities and a Special Alternative Incarceration program, which hosts about 41,000 prisoners today. It also supervises approximately 71,000 parolees and probationers.

The Michigan Department of Corrections offers various vocational and educational opportunities, including post-secondary programs, resume workshops, employment readiness, vocational training, and career and technical education.

If you have a loved one incarcerated in Michigan, either in jail or prison, you may have several questions and concerns about how to connect with them and how life progresses after incarceration. DoNotPay can help you connect with your loved ones through the Michigan municipal, state, and federal facilities.

Here's everything you need to know about how to connect with your loved one incarcerated in Michigan.

How to Get to the Michigan Department of Corrections

The Michigan Department of Corrections has its headquarters in Lansing, MI. All facilities managed are readily accessible, and you can visit their offices during their visiting hours to inquire about how to call or write to a prisoner in the Michigan facility.

Here are several ways to reach the Michigan Department of Corrections:

How to Contact Inmates in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Corrections allows loved ones to connect with an inmate in various ways.

Mail

You can send mail to an inmate by writing to the Michigan Department of Corrections address. You must know the correct way to address the letter to an inmate. The envelope must indicate the inmate's MDOC number and their name on it. However, remember that prison wardens search all letters coming to any prison or jail facility.

Calls

If you want a phone call with an inmate in one of the Michigan Department of Corrections facilities, the inmate must call you first. Calls cannot be made from outside to an inmate inside the prison, and you must have your credit card information, so you may be charged for the call.

In-Person Visits

If your loved one is an inmate at one of the Michigan jail or prison facilities and you want to visit them, the Department of Corrections must clear you first. You must schedule your visit at least 72 hours before, but it should not be over seven days.

Visitation hours are only scheduled for two hours at a time. You should arrive earlier because there are several things you need to go through before you can see your loved ones. To keep the prison facility safe, prison wardens may have to:

• Search you and any baggage you have
• Sign some paperwork
• Provide identification documents

How to Send Money to Inmates in Michigan

You can send money to an inmate to help them buy basic commodities from the commissary. After you've sent money to an inmate, it's quite difficult to request a refund. Therefore, it's important to ensure you're sending money to the right person to avoid wasting your money.

You can send money to an inmate by:

• Internet
• Walk In
• Phone

Deposit by Internet

Depositing funds through GTL Connect Network is the easiest and fastest way. You will need to create an account, choose the facility name, add the inmate's name, and deposit the amount of money you wish to send.

Deposit by Walk In

You can deposit money to your loved one by visiting select facilities with shops that allow you to deposit funds using cash, debit, or credit card into an inmate's account. You will be charged a $4 fee for the transaction.

Deposit Funds Over the Phone

You can contact GTL at 888-988-4768 to deposit funds into an inmate's account. They charge a fee to send the funds.

Sending Care Packages to Inmates in Michigan

You can send packages to your incarcerated loved ones. You can't send packages directly to inmates and must follow the restrictions given by the respective facility. Always check the rules of the specific facility on their website or by visiting them before sending a package.

Some things you can send to inmates include care packages like cosmetics, clothing, food, and religious items. However, you should not send credit cards, cash, drugs, weapons, sharp objects, or cigarettes. Doing this may put your loved ones at the risk of losing mail privileges.

If you're looking for an effective way to send care packages to an inmate, DoNotPay has got you covered.

How to Connect With Your Loved-Ones Via DoNotPay

DoNotPay can help you exchange messages with inmates and contact them with ease. Our app will help you strengthen your relationship with your loved one behind bars. After signing up with DoNotPay, we'll handle all the heavy lifting to keep you in touch.

Here's how to use DoNotPay:

1. Locate the Connect With an Inmate service on DoNotPay.

2. Choose whether you want to locate a loved one, create a virtual mailbox, or send a personalized letter.

3. If you want us to find your loved one, provide his or her personal details and the state they are located in. We'll then conduct a search on the state database.

4. If you want to create a virtual mailbox, just provide your full name! We'll set one up for you so you can easily receive incoming mail from your loved one.

5. If sending a personalized letter, tell us which facility your loved one is located in and what you would like to say to them. You can even include a photo! Your letter will be delivered automatically - just wait 10 days for it to arrive to your loved one!

Other Services You'll Enjoy from DoNotPay

Our app can offer a lot more apart from helping you connect with your loved ones. These includes:

• Find prison pen pals
• Sorting out credit card issues
• Cancel memberships or subscriptions
• Sue companies or people in small claims court
• Handle parking tickets
• Get a refund for canceled or delayed flights
• Dealing with overwhelming bills
• Protection from harassment and stalking
• Stop text spam

If you're looking to connect with your incarcerated loved ones in a Michigan prison or jail facility, your best bet is using DoNotPay. Using DoNotPay, you can reach an inmate faster and securely without having to visit many office buildings and seeking permissions from different departments. Register for DoNotPay's Connect With an Inmate today to learn what the app can do for you.