reason for the stamp "corrections inmate" on the envelopes??

[Craigmom]

Can anyone tell me what possible reason there is for a prison to stamp on the envelopes that we receive from our L/O  "this correspondence is from an inmate of the Illinois Dept. of Corrections"?? Do all prisons do this? Is it really necessary to advertise to the entire postal system including the mail man that this particular piece of mail is from a prison? When we write we don't have to put anything but the mailing address, we don't have to put the name of the correctional center on it. Gees....

[Marks_guy]

Part of the reason, I suppose, is to let the receiver know exactly where the letter is coming from, rather than be surprised. I bet, if someone researched it, the stamps came about because an inmate kept sending stuff to a "victim."

[Dazzler]

There's quite a few reasons they do this.  They don't want inmates running any scams through the mail.  They want the adddressee to know exactly where it's coming from.  Many companies that have mail order will not do business with inmates....many magazines won't accept subscriptions either.  Some inmates want to continue to do their business on the outside, including receiving unemployment, SSI and other payments that they are no long entitled to do.  It's also a way for guardians to stop any jail mail going to underage recipients.  Like I said, there's a whole bunch of reasons....it's not just the IDOC picking on the inmates. 

For the most part when there are rules that you don't understand there is good reasoning behind them...if you stop and think of the security ramifications first you'll most likely figure out why things are done the way they are....Like I've always said...prison is not a summer camp....

[Craigmom]

There's quite a few reasons they do this.  They don't want inmates running any scams through the mail.  They want the adddressee to know exactly where it's coming from.  Many companies that have mail order will not do business with inmates....many magazines won't accept subscriptions either.  Some inmates want to continue to do their business on the outside, including receiving unemployment, SSI and other payments that they are no longer entitled to do.  It's also a way for guardians to stop any jail mail going to underage recipients.  Like I said, there's a whole bunch of reasons....it's not just the IDOC picking on the inmates.  

For the most part when there are rules that you don't understand there is good reasoning behind them...if you stop and think of the security ramifications first you'll most likely figure out why things are done the way they are....Like I've always said...prison is not a summer camp....

I wasn't aware that magazines won't accept subscriptions and I understand the thoughts of underage people not getting this kind of mail. I know that there had to be a more legitimate reason for this rather than just "picking on the inmate", that's why I ask for someone else's understanding of it.   I think everyone on here realizes that prison is not a summer camp...including the inmate.  

[Dazzler]

Craigmom, I wasn't referring to you thinking that prison is a summer camp...I'm using it in reference to explaining why almost everything the IDOC does that we don't understand is due to a security reason.  What seems minor to us is actually something that could be very serious to maintaining security in a prison.  

[Steadfast]

Craigsmom, don't be embarrassed to receive mail from a correctional facility.  When I went to the post office to mail off some magazines for my l/o the first time, the postal worker said that he sends stuff from his post office to correctional facilities every day and he even knew which facilities accepted certain types of packaging, and helped me repackage my stuff so that it wouldn't be sent back.  So, know that there are probably many people in your community with l/o's that are incarcerated, and the mailmen deliver mail from them every day.  I love it when I open my mailbox and see that red lettering on the envelope because I know I am getting a letter from my guy!

[Craigmom]

Craigsmom, don't be embarrassed to receive mail from a correctional facility.  When I went to the post office to mail off some magazines for my l/o the first time, the postal worker said that he sends stuff from his post office to correctional facilities every day and he even knew which facilities accepted certain types of packaging, and helped me repackage my stuff so that it wouldn't be sent back.  So, know that there are probably many people in your community with l/o's that are incarcerated, and the mailmen deliver mail from them every day.  I love it when I open my mailbox and see that red lettering on the envelope because I know I am getting a letter from my guy!

I was mortified at first when I got the first letter but was so happy and surprised I got a letter so fast that I sat in the car in the garage crying when I read it. It still kind of irritates me a bit with the stupid red stamp, but I don't care because I just want to hear from him. The lady at the post office where I chose to mail my stuff to him, was very nice and seemed to have compassion written all over her face without saying anything. She even suggested to maybe mail it the media mail with delivery confirmation that it has been known to get there faster. it got there at the facility in 3 days but didn't make it to him for another almost 12! Ridiculous.

[Dazzler]

One out of every four people in Illinois knows someone close that is either in prison or jail, or who was in prison or jail....

[rottiemama2003]

Part of the reason, I suppose, is to let the receiver know exactly where the letter is coming from, rather than be surprised. I bet, if someone researched it, the stamps came about because an inmate kept sending stuff to a "victim."

Majority of the rule are because someone goof up. Some just don't get it. When they are lock up things should stop unemployment payment, etc.... but some what to bend the rules.

Rottie

[Ira]

My husband's envelopes just say "Inmate mail", not "this correspondence is from an inmate of the Illinois Dept. of Corrections". I guess, different prisons use different stamps?

[Amanda.Marks]

While I understand why the stamps are there. I really don't like it either, I'm not embarrased, but I don't want to give people another reason to judge

[ChivanSmith]

I think people will judge you regardless. No one will ever understand how you are in Love with someone incarcerated but someone who is going through the same thing. I don't care who judges me or has something to say about my situation. If you let something like that bother you then maybe you have to rethink your situation. Prison does not mean that person has no morals or remorse for what they did. We all make mistakes and no one is PERFECT in this world.

I'm not trying to step on any toes here but this is just my opinion.

[RMadrigal]

I actually look forward to receive an envelope with that red stamp on it!!!! Although I don't agree with what my son has done to get himself into that situation does not mean that I love him any less or am embarrassed by it either...I am just happy to hear from him!!!

 

[jcruz1104]

Like stated i am sure there are many reason for the stamp. but really who cares??
I love seeing that on my mail cuz I know its from my hubby. I am sure the postmen/women see that soo much it doesn't even phase them..
And if people are judging you about it is that someone you want in your life?? just a few things to think about...
I think of it as- I run my life, i pay my bills, rent and take care of my kids. I take care of my hubby (for now) I work and do whats needed to provide for my family and if someone doesn't like it, me or want to judge me they aren't worth my time. I have come too far and done too much to have someone knock me down becuz they don't understand or agree with why i am still with my husband...


so again there is a reason and lets just be happy that we get mail from our L/O's

[sanders]

i know for my hubby the unemployment office knew b4 i called n told them he was locked up. so they must check there system ALOT.. we were just lucky that he got lucky he got locked up after he did one of his calls in so i got 2 checks after he got put in. I hate that that stamp is there but im use to it bc im happy he can send me mail every week:)

[ChivanSmith]

Well said jcruz...

Like stated i am sure there are many reason for the stamp. but really who cares??
I love seeing that on my mail cuz I know its from my hubby. I am sure the postmen/women see that soo much it doesn't even phase them..
And if people are judging you about it is that someone you want in your life?? just a few things to think about...
I think of it as- I run my life, i pay my bills, rent and take care of my kids. I take care of my hubby (for now) I work and do whats needed to provide for my family and if someone doesn't like it, me or want to judge me they aren't worth my time. I have come too far and done too much to have someone knock me down becuz they don't understand or agree with why i am still with my husband...


so again there is a reason and lets just be happy that we get mail from our L/O's

[chadsangel4]

I love opening my mailbox and seeing that red stamp!  I know right away who that letter is from.  I don't care who knows that I am recieving mail from an inmate.  They don't know my situation. 

[kiannie04]

Me too, but the first year, now I'm kind of fed up seeing it when I get home from work, it just reminds me of the hell I have been going through with all this.

[jdmlt]

I live in a very small village (actually I live outside of this village, in the country) and everyone knew my son was in prison. So I could care less who sees the envelope. I do know at one time prisoners would write to victims before the stamp & the victim would open it without knowing where it came from. I'm talking years ago this occurred so this is probably a very good reason for the stamp.

[Emily1983]

   I Went To My Mail Box The Other Day As The Postal Carrier Was Putting My Mail In The Box And Got A Dirty Look.  I Said "what you looking at me like that for.." He Told Me I Seemed Like To "NICE" Of A Young Lady To Be Getting Mail From An Inmate In Prison.  I Happily Took My Mail And Said "who are you to judge"....  I also think its so funny when i go to cvs to send my man money and when they go over the information with me to make sure that it is correct they always whisper "to IDOC right?" I Be Like, "You Ain't Gotta Whisper, I Don't Give A Damn Who Hear Where I'm Sending Money To, They Don't Know Me Or My Or My Mans Situation"  Bottom line is that no one should be ashamed that their loved one is behind bars, shit happens and if people wanna judge because of something like that then they are the ones that need a prayer said for them.