When someone is transferred, mail that arrives at the old facility is either forwarded to the new one, forwarded for a limited time, or sent back to the sender, depending on the system. Federal prisons forward general mail for 30 days and then return it, some state systems forward it within days, and others don't forward personal mail at all.
The safest approach is the same everywhere: confirm where your loved one is right before you mail anything, and send to the new address as soon as you know it.
Federal prisons: forwarded for 30 days
The Bureau of Prisons' correspondence policy (Program Statement 5265.14) covers this directly:
- Staff forward general correspondence to the new address for 30 days.
- After 30 days, general mail is returned to the sender marked "Not at this address — return to sender."
- The person being transferred is responsible for telling correspondents their new address. Staff make a change-of-address kit available for that.
- If someone leaves temporarily on a writ (for example, to appear in court), they can choose to have general mail held for up to 30 days or returned.
The good news for federal prisons: the Register Number never changes, so you only need the new institution's inmate mail address. The BOP inmate locator shows where someone is now. Our federal prison guide explains how to address it, including separate camp addresses.
State prisons: it depends on the state
State corrections departments write their own rules, and they differ a lot. Three official examples show the range:
- Tennessee forwards within the system. The Department of Correction's mail policy 507.02 says mail for someone transferred to another state facility is forwarded to that institution, within 48 hours excluding weekends and holidays, or on the next scheduled state transport bus.
- Connecticut doesn't forward personal mail. The state's regulation on forwarding mail says the person is responsible for telling correspondents about a change of address, legal mail is forwarded, and the Department "shall not be responsible for the forwarding of general correspondence."
- Texas uses one address for every unit. The TDCJ digital mail page says personal mail for all units goes to a single processing center in Dallas, where it's scanned to the person's tablet. Because the address doesn't include the unit, a move between Texas prisons doesn't change where you send personal mail, as long as the name and TDCJ number are right.
Florida and Pennsylvania also route state prison mail through central mail centers. In Pennsylvania, though, the address still includes the facility's name (see our Pennsylvania facility list), so update it after a move.
County jails: moves are frequent
Moves are especially common in jail. People in jail go to court, to another county, to a state prison after sentencing, or into federal or immigration custody. Each jail sets its own policy on forwarding, and it isn't always published, so ask the jail if you need to know.
Two things to know:
- The booking number doesn't follow them. Once someone leaves a jail for a state or federal prison, they'll have a new ID number, and mail needs that number.
- Release is handled differently again. Across jails and prisons, some systems forward mail to the address on file (federal prisons for 30 days, and Tennessee state prisons), while others return it to the sender (Connecticut marks it "Released"). Don't count on photos reaching someone at home this way.
If someone has been sentenced and is waiting to go to prison, it can be worth holding off on a big photo order until they arrive. Our post on jail vs. prison mail explains why the two systems handle mail so differently.
Immigration detention: moves with little warning
People held for ICE are moved more often than people in prison and can be released or removed with little notice. Check the ICE Online Detainee Locator using their A-Number and country of birth shortly before sending. Many ICE detainees are held in county jails, where the jail's own mail rules apply. Our ICE detention guide covers this in detail.
How to find out where they went
- Federal: the BOP inmate locator, searched by name or Register Number.
- State: the state corrections department's online offender search.
- County jail: the sheriff's or jail's inmate lookup.
- Immigration: the ICE Online Detainee Locator.
- Notifications: many states and counties use VINELink, which can let you sign up for updates when someone's custody status changes.
The simplest source is often the person themselves: ask them to send their new address and ID number in their first letter or call from the new facility.
What about photos already on the way?
If your envelope reaches the old facility after the move, what happens next follows the rules above: it's forwarded, held or returned to you. In a system with one central address, like Texas, it may simply reach them as usual.
If you're not sure whether something arrived, ask your loved one before re-sending. Duplicates can count against photo limits.
How InmatePics handles transfers
- We check before mailing to federal prisons. When you enter a Register Number, we check the BOP locator to confirm the name and that the person is at the prison you chose.
- If we learn of a move before mailing, we hold your order and contact you. You can send it to the new facility or cancel for a full refund.
- Once mail has left us, a transfer or release we didn't know about isn't covered by our refund promise. That's why it pays to confirm the location shortly before you order. Our refund policy has the details.
Tips to avoid lost mail during a move
- Check the locator the day you order, not the week before.
- Send smaller batches more often rather than one big order far in advance.
- Ask your loved one to tell you as soon as they know a move is coming.
- Put your full return address on everything so returned mail can reach you.
- Update both the address and the ID number after a move from jail to prison.
Frequently asked questions
Does the post office forward mail to a new prison?
Not automatically. The facility decides whether to forward. Federal prisons forward general mail for 30 days; some states forward within their system; others return it.
How long does it take to show up on the locator after a transfer?
It varies. Check again before you send, and if the locator isn't clear, wait for your loved one to confirm their new address.
Will my photos be returned if they've been moved?
They may be. Federal prisons return general mail after the 30-day forwarding period, and Connecticut doesn't forward personal mail at all. That's why your return address matters.
Do I need a new ID number after a transfer?
Not between federal prisons, where the Register Number stays the same. You will after a move from jail to prison, and from one system to another.
