Reviewed on: April 04,2026
Prison Discipline

Can Inmates in the Hole Still Send and Receive Mail?

when a inmate gets in trouble or get put in the whole are they still able to recieve letters and write letter to an from there love ones?

Yes.
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Answered by a former federal inmate · 14+ years advising families
✓ Verified answer March 14,2014 · Prison Discipline
1

Yes. Being placed in the SHU, also known as segregation or the hole, does not cut off mail. Inmates in disciplinary or administrative segregation can still send and receive letters. Mail is one of the few things that continues uninterrupted regardless of disciplinary status at most facilities.

Phone access is more restricted. Inmates in the SHU are typically limited to one call per week in most facilities, compared to the broader access available in general population. Some facilities allow slightly more, others allow less, depending on the reason for the placement and the facility's specific rules.

Visitation may also be affected. Contact visits are often suspended for inmates in segregation, and any visits that are permitted may be conducted through a partition rather than in the general visiting area.

If your family member has been placed in the SHU, keeping letters going is the most reliable way to stay connected during that period. It is also one of the most meaningful things you can do, since the isolation of segregation makes outside contact more valuable, not less.

Accepted Answer Date Created: March 14,2014
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About this answer: This response was prepared by InmateAid’s editorial team in consultation with former inmates who have direct experience with the federal correctional system. InmateAid has served families of the incarcerated since 2012. This is general information only — not legal advice. Last reviewed April 2026.