Chambers County Jail Inmate Mail

Chambers County Jail Inmate Mail

When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please address your mail as follows:

Chambers County Jail
Inmate's First and Last Name
Chambers County Detention Facilty
105 Alabama Avenue West
Lafayette, AL 36862

All mail sent to an inmate at the Chambers County Jail must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.

The information below provides complete instructions regarding:

  • Chambers County Jail Inmate Mail Policies,
  • Mail Instructions,
  • What type of mail is NOT allowed,
  • Rules for Mailing Letters and Photos and Postcards
  • Emailing an inmate,
  • Policies for Sending Magazines, Newspapers, Books and Packages to Chambers County Jail in Lafayette, Alabama.

Follow these instructions exactly to help ensure that your inmate receives his/her mail and not have it thrown away.
The Chambers County Jail has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations.

Type of Mail Allowed for Chambers County Jail

Postcards
The Chambers County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.
Envelopes
The Chambers County Jail may also allow regular postcards and envelopes to be mailed to inmates as well, however more and more jails are no longer allowing envelopes or paper letters due to concern about paper being dipped into liquefied drugs like methamphetamines and cocaine and then mailed into secure facilities.
To confirm that the Chambers County Jail still allows letters in envelopes call 334-864-4336 or view the Inmate Mail Instructions.
Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
Most jails allow books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address above.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Chambers County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
To confirm that the Chambers County Jail continues to allow books to be mailed by a third party publisher or bookseller, call 334-864-4336.
Care packages
Care packages are pre-chosen items packaged together and sent to the inmate from a third-party vendor. They can include clothing, snacks and seasonal items.
When a jail allows the inmate to receive Care Packages they must come directly from an approved company that specializes in serving the inmates of jails.
Call 334-864-4336 to see if the Chambers County Jail participates in a Care Package program and if so, how to purchase one.

What is Inmate mail?

By law, every inmate is entitled to receive mail delivered through the United State Postal Service. While for years, this mail was always delivered in the form of a letter or a postcard from friends and loved ones directly to the inmate, the definition of inmate mail has changed a bit.

Inmate mail can be:

•    A letter in an envelope,
•    A postcard,
•    A greeting card, or
•    A digital letter

Because of security and contraband concerns, mainly the paper and envelope that a letter is written on or enclosed in, being soaked in a liquid form of drugs, many jails are increasingly limiting the type of mail inmates can get.

Some still allow regular mail in an envelope with a stamp, but many now have the letter sent to a third-party that opens the letter, scans it and the envelope into a computer, emails the letter to the jail where they print it out, giving the photocopies to the inmate, or they send it to a computer kiosk or tablet digitally that the inmate can access.

Others only allow postcards, specifically the white, pre-stamped postcards that you can purchase from the post office. 

When greeting cards are allowed, they can’t be cards with glitter, music or other do-dads. They can only be plain paper cards.

Some jails, in fact most, require that mail be written or typed with only black or blue ink. Some allow black pencils to be used.

None allow crayons, markers, lipstick prints, etc. 

All require white envelopes, white paper or lined paper such as from a pad. Very few allow paper that is card stock. It must be plain white, 20-lb. printer paper.

To see the inmate mail policies for Chambers County Jail check out the inmate mail details above or call the jail at 334-864-4336 for specific information.

What is my inmate’s mailing address?

There are five different types of addresses for every jail:

1.    The physical address of the jail
2.    The mailing address for an inmate’s personal mail
3.    The mailing address for the inmate’s legal mail
4.    The mailing address for the jail’s administrative staff
5.    The mailing address for sending money to the inmate’s trust or commissary fund
       Visit the Inmate Money page for this information

In general, the only three addresses that friends and family of inmates need to be concerned about are:

•    The inmate address for personal mail.
•    The address for sending money orders to the inmate’s commissary account.
      Visit the Inmate Money page for this information.
•    The physical address of the jail.

Because this section is about mailing an inmate, the address for mailing an inmate is:

105 Alabama Avenue West
Lafayette, AL 36862

or 
Inmate's Full Name
Inmate ID#
Chambers County Jail
105 Alabama Avenue West
Lafayette, AL 36862

If the red address is visible, then use that address, as that is the new address the jail is using for an inmate's personal mail to combat contraband entering the facility.

How do I mail a letter to an inmate in jail?

To mail a letter to an inmate in the Chambers County Jail, first completely read all the mail policies and guidelines that are on this page. Also read any updated mail guidelines that are on the official page for facility. If you still have questions, then call the jail at 334-864-4336 and ask specifics.

It is important to understand that if even one thing is done incorrectly when sending a letter to the jail, even if everything else is done correctly, then your letter will not be delivered to the inmate.  In fact, even though the jail claims they will mail your letter back to you so that you will know it was not delivered, there is always the chance it will be disposed of. 

So here you are at home, wondering why your inmate is not responding to your letter, when in fact, they may not have even received it.

How do I address an inmate?

All mail to the inmate must be addressed as follows:

A full return address, which includes your full name and full address.  Without this the mail will not be delivered to the inmate.

A complete address to the inmate, including:

Full Name (name that they were booked under)
Inmate ID# (booking #, SO #, etc.)
Inmate’s Housing location (if you know it)
Chambers County Jail
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip code

105 Alabama Avenue West
Lafayette, AL 36862



A letter that is not addressed completely may not get delivered. Keep in mind that often there is more than one inmate in a jail with the same name. You certainly don’t want the wrong inmate getting your private mail, do you?

If a letter is not delivered to an inmate, will they be notified?

Sometimes. There are some jails that will deliver you a notification that a letter which was intended for you was returned because it was either improperly addressed, did not have return address, contained contraband of some sort, had things written in it that were against mail and jail policies, or were sent by someone you were not allowed contact with such as co-defendant or someone the court had forbidden contact with such as a spouse in a domestic violence case.

Most of the time though, the letter is either returned or destroyed, and if there are illegal substances in the letter, it will be turned over to the Chambers County Sheriff or District Attorney for possible criminal investigation and/or indictment.

What can I send to an inmate by mail?

Generally nothing but a letter, printouts from a computer printer or photographs can be sent to an inmate in the mail. If there is anything else enclosed, the entire letter and the contents will be returned to you or destroyed.

There are a few exceptions to this, such as several county jails in New York, including the infamous Riker’s Island. Riker’s allows all kinds of things to be mailed to an inmate, including a box of items every month.

Can I send pictures to an inmate?

Every jail has their own policy regarding allowing inmates to receive photographs in the mail, if at all. For Chambers County Jail’s policy, review the information on this page.

In general, most jails allow an inmate to have anywhere from four to six photographs in their possession at any one time. These cannot be polaroids, and the photos cannot be construed as even mildly sexual (such as a woman or child in a bathing suit), gang related, drug related or violent.

Some jails allow only photocopied photos.

Some jails only allow photos that are sent digitally and must remain digital.

There are only a few jails that do not allow any photos of any kind.

If you are still uncertain as the policy regarding photographs at this facility, call them at 334-864-4336.

Can I send newspapers, magazines and books to an inmate in the Chambers County Jail?

Most jails allow newspapers, magazines and books to be sent to an inmate, if they come directly from the publisher, such as directly from the newspaper or magazine themselves, or from the specific book publisher or trusted mail order source such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

There is often a limit of the quantity of books and magazines an inmate can either receive at one time, receive each month, or have in their possession at any one time. 

Hardcover books, or books with wire spiral binders are never allowed.

Any publications that portray or discuss violence, sex, gang activity, drugs, jail escapes or anything else against jail policies are not allowed and will be returned.

The policy of the Chambers County Jail should be detailed on this page. However, if it is not, then call the jail at 334-864-4336 and ask.

Keep in mind that the address the publications should be mailed to is not always the mailing address of where the inmate gets their regular mail, the mail that is scanned and forwarded digitally to them.

The mailing address for publications is:

105 Alabama Avenue West
Lafayette, AL 36862

or 
Inmate's Full Name
Inmate ID#
Chambers County Jail
105 Alabama Avenue West
Lafayette, AL 36862

Use the address in red if it is visible to you.

NOTE: There are a few New York jails that allow publications to be sent directly to them as opposed to having it sent through the publisher. One of the most notable exceptions is Riker’s Island in New York City.

How often can I send letters or cards to an inmate?

There is no limit to how often you can send letters or cards to an inmate. You are only limited to the types of letters and cards that you can send, considering Chambers County Jail’s policies, which are outlined on this page.

How often can the inmate mail letters?

An inmate can mail letters as often as they like.  There is no limit to the number of letters that an inmate can write and send.  They are only limited by the number of stamps they can afford to purchase through commissary, and the amount of commissary spend that the Chambers County Jail allows.

What is considered contraband in the mail?

Contraband is defined as anything that the jail does not allow to be mailed to an inmate, which is just about everything. The list would fill ten sets of encyclopedias. 

It easier to say what is allowed to be sent through the mail:

•    When allowed, a certain number of photographs.
•    When allowed, newspapers, magazines and books, if they are sent from a publisher.
•    When allowed, a care package of snacks, hygiene products or clothing from a commissary company that has contracted with the jail.

Can I send printouts from my computer to an inmate?

Some jails allow printouts of photographs and information to be sent to an inmate through the mail. Refer to the mail policy on this page or by calling the jail directly at 334-864-4336.

Can I send an inmate a package?

Many jails contract with companies that send food, hygiene products and/or clothing to inmates. These can be purchased and sent by friends and family on a weekly or monthly basis.

You can only send items from the one that your jail has a contract with. 

Check this page, the Money Page or the Commissary Page for further information, or call the jail at 334-864-4336 to see which one that the Chambers County Jail works with.

Here are the commissary package companies, in alphabetical order, that provide this service to jails in the United States:

Access Securepak
Care A Cell
Commissary order
Correct Pay
Express Account
icare
Inmate Canteen
Jail ATM
Jail Pack Store (McDaniel Supply)
My Care Pack
Oasis (jailcanteen)
Prodigy Solutions
Tiger
Union Supply Direct

Can I send an inmate a gift?

The only gifts you can send an inmate must come from one of the stores above, and Chambers County Jail must contract with them.

If I send something to an inmate that is not allowed, can the inmate or I get in trouble?

If the item that you send an inmate is illegal, then you and/or your inmate can get in trouble, otherwise if it is not illegal, it will just be destroyed or in some cases, returned to you.

Note that if you continue to send items that are considered contraband, some of your communication privileges with your inmate, such as visitation or phone calls, may be suspended.

Can I send an inmate postage stamps?

No, you cannot send postage stamps. Stamps must be purchased by the inmate through commissary. You can send them the money for stamps, but not the stamps.

How can an inmate get stamps while in jail or prison?

Stamps can be purchased in the jail commissary be the inmate.

If an inmate has no money, will the Chambers County Jail give them stamps?

Yes. If an inmate is indigent, the jail will provide them 2-3 stamps, and an equal amount of envelopes and stationery each week. 

What happens if I send the inmate drugs or something that can be a weapon, will I get in trouble?

Yes. If you send the inmate drugs, a weapon or anything illegal, it will be turned over to the Chambers County Sheriff or District Attorney and it is most likely that you will be prosecuted. 

How do I Communicate by Email with an Inmate in Chambers County Jail

Chambers County Jail uses the services of correctpay.com (aka JailFunds) for you to deposit funds into your inmate’s account so that you and they can purchase secure email messaging services from this jail’s e-messaging service.

You can deposit money four different ways:

  • Deposit online at correctpay.com.
  • Deposit at the VendEngine kiosk in the jail lobby.
  • Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
  • Deposit through their iOS or Android app.

Go directly here to send a message

Uploading photos to Inmate’s email
Make sure the file size is less than 5MB.
Also make sure your file is a .jpg, .jpeg or .gif.

correctpay.com Help, Contact and FAQ
24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions

How to address your Inmate's Postcard or Envelope

Chambers County Jail
Inmate's First and Last Name
Chambers County Detention Facilty
105 Alabama Avenue West
Lafayette, AL 36862

  • All mail sent to an inmate at the Chambers County Jail must include the senders name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
  • Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and discarded.

Mailed Items NOT Allowed

If your inmate is mailed anything other than a letter or postcard (or sometimes) greeting cards it won't get through.
However as stated above, because of the increased smuggling of drugs, more and more jails are only allowing pre-stamped or metered, solid color or white postcards to be received by inmates, or even using a third-party service that scans the letters and delivers paper or digital copies.
Examples of prohibited items include:

  • Stamps and stickers.
  • Musical greeting cards.
  • Altered mail such as perfumed or lipstick covered.
  • Paper with any type of stains such as grease.
  • News clippings.
  • Crayon, felt tip or hand painted drawings.

POLICIES REGARDING MAILING PHOTOS TO Chambers County Jail

  • Photos should not exceed 4 inches high x 6 inches wide.
  • Send no more than five photos at one time.
  • Polaroid Photos are prohibited.
  • Photos of weapons are prohibited.
  • Photos of drugs, the consuming of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
  • Photos of lewd behavior or people exhibiting too much skin is prohibited.

Important Mail Tips

  • Mail is always scanned and inspected for contraband, obscenity and other rule infractions.
  • Assume that everything you write will be read by jail staff and can and will be used against you or your inmate in court.  
  • Never write anything about the inmate's court case you wouldn't want read aloud in court.
  • Mail is considered by the jail to be a privilege. Any violations of the mail policies can result in the inmate's mail privileges being suspended.
  • The introduction of contraband by you into the jail through the mail could result in criminal charges being filed against both you and the inmate.

How Do I put Money on an Inmate's Commissary Account in the Chambers County Jail to Purchase Phone Cards?

There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:

Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Chambers County Jail
Bring money to the jail in person. 
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use the NCIC self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.

Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Chambers County Jail uses NCIC to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. NCIC charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.



Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union.
Make the Money Order out to the inmate's name and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order.  Mail it to the Chambers County Jail address on this page, or to the address below if it is different than the facility address.
105 Alabama Avenue West
Lafayette, AL 36862

Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit over the Phone by calling 800-943-2189

For more information about sending an inmate money for phone cards or other commissary sundries, check out our Inmate Money Page.


 

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Chambers County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Chambers County Jail follow these steps:

Chambers County Jail uses the services of NCIC for you to deposit funds into your , then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.

To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Chambers County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Chambers County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Chambers County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
  • Select Alabama, then Chambers County Jail, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
  • Maximum spend is $125.00.

For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Chambers County Jail, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Chambers County.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Chambers County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Chambers County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
  • Select Alabama, then Chambers County Jail, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
  • Maximum spend is $125.00.
  • NOTE: Chambers County Jail may at times only allow online deposits for your inmate to purchase their own commissary locally. 

For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Chambers County Jail, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Chambers County.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Chambers County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Chambers County Jail follow these steps:

  • Go to JailATM, choose Alabama, then choose Chambers County Jail
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate, and then you will be prompted to Register with them to open an account.
  • Select the products you want shipped to them at Chambers County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Chambers County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Chambers County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Chambers County.


 

How Does an Inmate Make Phone Calls in Chambers County Jail?

To receive phone calls from an inmate in Chambers County follow these instructions:

Chambers County Jail uses the services of NCIC for inmate phone calling. It is called a ‘friends & family account”.

In order to receive phone calls from your inmate, you need to do the following:

  • Register here, or by phone 800-943-2189
  • Choose Alabama.
  • Choose Chambers County Jail
  • Select your Inmate.
  • Enter the phone number your Inmate will be calling.
  • Fund your Account. ($10-$100 at a time)

NOTE:
1.   You cannot receive any calls to your phone number from your inmate until both you and your phone number are registered.
2.  When you do receive a call, the number you will view on your phone from the incoming call is: 800-943-2189.
3.  When allowed by Chambers County Jail, families can also leave secure voicemails for inmates to listen to.

Fees

  • Adding funds to your account - $3.00 
  • Cost of phone call of a Prepaid Collect Account - $0.21 per minute
  • Cost of an interstate (ex. Alabama to a different state) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost of an intrastate (ex. Alabama to Alabama) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost if you set up your account (or fund it) by phone using a live agent, you will be charged a one-time fee of $5.95.

NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – [email protected]
Full list of participating jails.

For all the information regarding phone calls with Chambers County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, fees, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Chambers County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Chambers County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, a service that acts as a bank for inmates in Chambers County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose Alabama, then choose Chambers County Jail
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Chambers County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in Chambers County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Chambers County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Chambers County.


 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Chambers County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Chambers County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register with correctpay by creating an account.
  • Select Alabama, then select Chambers County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.
  • You can deposit money four ways:
  • Deposit online at correctpay.com.
  • Deposit at the VendEngine kiosk in the Chambers County Jail lobby.
  • Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
  • Deposit through their iOS or Android app.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account, what the fees are, how long it takes to hit their account and more, check out our full money and commissary guide for Chambers County Jail.


 

How to Have Remote Video Visits and 'At the Jail' Visits with an Inmate in Chambers County

To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with correctpay.com to communicate with your Chambers County Jail inmate, follow the instructions below:

Chambers County Jail uses the services of correctpay.com (aka JailFunds) for you to schedule and visit your inmate via remote video visitation.

You can ‘video visit’ your inmate one of three ways:

  • Visit from your home computer.
  • Visit from the correctpay VendEngine Kiosk in the Chambers County Jail lobby.
  • Visit by using the JailFunds iphone or Android app

Begin the process to schedule a visit:

  • Register by creating an account.
  • Add a payment method.
  • Select Alabama
  • Select Chambers County Jail
  • Select your inmate
  • Schedule a visit.

24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364

For all the information on remote video visits and 'at the jail' visitation for Chambers County Jail, including fees, schedules, how it works and more, check out our Visit Inmate Page.


 

How to Send a Secure Email or Text Message to an Inmate in Chambers County

To send a secure email message and digital photos to an inmate in Chambers County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register with correctpay by creating an account.
  • Select Alabama, then select Chambers County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
  • NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court... So be careful what you write.
  • Uploading photos to Inmate’s email
    Make sure the file size is less than 5MB.
    Also make sure your file is a .jpg, .jpeg or .gif.

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Chambers County Jail and send them photos, check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Chambers County. 
24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364


 

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