Sending Mail to Inmates in Hawaii
Inmates incarcerated in Hawaii are able to receive and send an unlimited amount of letters. The institution can only limit written correspondence if their is a reasonable belief that it will protect the security and order of the facility, or the publics safety. For example, if the inmate is writing threatening letters he or she may be restricted from sending mail.
Because all mail is opened, inspected and read, all mail must be written in English unless otherwise authorized, in which case it will still be reviewed by translators. If the inmate is unable to write in English they will need to request the Wardens approval to write in another language.
Because all mail is opened, read, and inspected it is important to note that legal mail cannot be read, but can be opened and inspected as long as it is in the presence of the inmate. Legal mail should be clearly marked with the words "LEGAL MAIL" written above the inmates name and ID number. The envelope should also have the word "Confidential" marked on it as well as the attorney's full name and bar number.
When sending mail to an inmate, you should format it as follows:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Facility Name
PO Box or Street address
City, State, zip code
Inmates can also receive photos, but are limited in the amount of photos they can receive and the size of the photos must not be larger than 4"x6". Polaroid or instant photos are not allowed. You should print the inmate's name and ID number on the back of each photo in pen. Photos that contain nudity, sexually explicit or suggestive content will be rejected.
Sending Books and Magazines to Inmates in Hawaii
Inmates can receive new paperback books directly from the publisher. This means you can order books from an online vendor like Amazon.com, but the books must be new, and must be paperback. Spiral and hardcover bound books present a danger to the security of the facility and will be returned to sender at the inmate's expense. If you are sending a magazine or newpaper subscription, the inmate must first request the subscription be allowed from their counselor or case manager, they will in turn tell the inmate if the subscription will be allowed. The books, magazines and other publications you send may not contain maps, nudity, or depict violence, incite hate, have instructions on how to create bombs, explosives, or weapons, or depict/advertise criminal activity. or they will be rejected. If you want to learn more about sending these items to an inmate read about it here.
Sending Money to Inmates in Hawaii
Offenders in Hawaii are allowed to receive funds from anyone who is on their approved visitor/correspondence list. These funds have a cap on the amount that is allowed per month that varies depending on the institution, which is why we have listed more specific information on the individual facility page for Hawaii prisons. In general, all funds sent to an inmate must be in the form of a bank check. Inmates will use these funds to purchase a variety of goods from the commissary including stamps, paper, pens, food, hygienic items, entertainment items, and clothing/shoes.
If an inmate owes outstanding balances to fee's, fines or restitution a percentage not to exceed 50% of the deposit may be withheld and allocated towards paying the outstanding debts.
For more information on sending funds to an inmate, read our guide here.
Hawaii Inmate Phone Calls
All offenders are able to make outgoing collect calls. All calls will be a minimum of 15 minutes, and can be scheduled to accommodate the available hours of the friend or family member to receive the calls. Long distance calls are only allowed to be made to an immediate family member. A list of people the inmate is permitted to call is maintained at each facility. All calls are monitored and recorded, with the exception of attorney phone calls, ombudsman calls and ACLU calls.
Pre-paid and three way calling is not allowed and will result in the phone call being dropped. Telephone privileges can be revoked for behavioral issues. Never ask the staff to deliver a message to your inmate as it is not allowed. If you have experienced a loss or death in the family you may want to try contacting the Watch Commander or Chaplains office who may be able to forward the message. Under no circumstances will the prison accept an incoming call for an inmate.
You may be able to drastically reduce your inmate phone bill by setting up your account with a number local to the facility. Learn more about how you can save money on your inmate phone calls.