Michigan Inmate Phones/Sending Money & Mail

Sending Mail to Inmates in Michigan

Inmates incarcerated in Michigan prisons are allowed to receive written or typed letters, and photos.  Incoming and outgoing mail can be opened and inspected, and in some cases read, with the exception of legal mail which can be opened and inspected in the presence of the inmate.  Stamps, stickers, and other items are prohibited from being mailed to an inmate.  Stamps, stationary, writing instruments and envelopes must be purchased by the inmate through the commissary.  If an inmate does not have any funds in their commissary account and is considered indigent, the facility will loan funds that can be used for postage, envelopes and paper.

All mail you send to an inmate must have your complete name and return address listed in the upper left hand corner of the envelope.  You must also format the inmate's address in the following manner:
Inmate Name, MDOC Number
Facility Name
PO Box or Street address
City, State, Zip Code

If you do not know the inmate's current location, or the inmate's MDOC number you can find it by doing an inmate search here.

When sending photos to an inmate you must adhere to certain rules.  The photos must never contain nudity, including sheer/see through clothing, or depict illegal activities.  You may send up to five 4"x6" photographs at a time in a single envelope with a single stamp.

Inmates incarcerated in Michigan can also receive and send electronic messages through JPAY.  You will need to sign up for an account and purchase electronic stamps through the company.  In addition, all electronic messages are scanned for inappropriate content.

Offenders can also receive quarterly care packages sent through Access Securepak.  Inmates are allowed one package per quarter which must not exceed $85 in value.  Visit the Access Securepak website for more information.

How to Send Books and Magazines to Inmates in Michigan

In order to send books and magazines to an inmate you must order them through an approved vendor.  Amazon.com is one of the approved vendors you can send these items through.  The books must always be new and from Amazon.com (no third party sellers or used books allowed).  In addition, books must always be paperback.  Hardcover and spiral bound books are prohibited for safety reasons.  All publications must not contain nudity, maps, or describe the manufacture of drugs or alcohol.  If you want to learn more about sending these items to an inmate you can read about it here.

Sending Money to Inmates in Michigan

Inmates have access to money that friends and family members send to their commissary accounts.  The funds can be used to purchase a variety of items from the commissary (in facility store) such as paper, pens, stamps, envelopes, foods, snacks, clothing, hygiene items and more.

You can send funds to an inmate by:

  • Walk In
  • Internet
  • Mail
  • Phone

Before you can send the funds you will need to know the following information:

  • The Inmates Name
  • The Inmates MDOC Identification Number
  • The current location of the inmate

You can find all the above listed information by doing an inmate search here.

Deposit by Walk In
Friends and family members can deposit money by visiting select facilities that offer kiosks in which a debit or credit card as well as cash may be used to deposit funds into an inmate's benefit fund.  A fee of $4.00 per transaction will be assessed.

Deposit by Internet
You can also deposit money to an inmate's account online through GTL ConnectNetwork.  A fee is charged for sending money online.  This method allows you to use a debit or credit card. 

Deposit Funds Over the Phone
You can also deposit funds to an inmate's account over the phone by calling GTL at 888-988-4768.  They charge a fee for sending the funds.

Deposit Funds Through the Mail
The cheapest way of sending funds, but also the slowest is by getting a United States Postal Money Order, filling out and printing a deposit coupon (Spanish Despoit slip) and mailing them both to the GTL lockbox.  Make the money order payable to "GTL Financial Services" and include the inmates name and ID number in the memo field.  The remitter information, or the information about yourself that must be included on the money order are your first and last name and full address.  You can send up to $300 using this method.

Complete the deposit form and send it with your money order to:
GTL Financial Services
2603 NW 13th Street
P.O. Box 328
Gainesville, FL 32609-2835

For more information on sending funds to an inmate, read the guide here.

Michigan Inmate Phone Calls

Inmates are allowed to make outgoing collect calls, and prepaid calls through an approved third party vendor only.  All calls may be recorded and monitored.  Prisoners are allowed to have up to 20 people on their personal allowed numbers list (PAN for short).  Each quarter the inmate must resubmit their list allowing them to make changes.

The phone service provider for Michigan is PCS, which is operated by Global *Tel Link (GTL for short).  You can setup your AdvancePay GTL account over the phone by calling 1-855-466-2832 or by visiting their website at offenderconnect.com.  Using this method or by the inmate purchasing debit minutes through the facility, they will be able to place calls to a cell phone.

GTL offenderconnect will charge you a fee for each call, plus a rate per minute.  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 here.