Reviewed on: April 13,2026
General Prison Questions-Terminology

How does an inmate know I sent a letter online?

Was wondering how the inmates know that we send them a letter on here.. does somebody go an tell them. Cuz I dnt think he knows about this at all. An he is is a small county jail

There is no notification system where someone tells the inmate a letter was sent online.
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Answered by a former federal inmate · 14+ years advising families
✓ Verified answer December 18,2014 · General Prison Questions-Terminology
1

There is no notification system where someone tells the inmate a letter was sent online. From their side, it looks just like regular mail.

When you send a letter through InmateAid, it is printed out and mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. Once it arrives at the jail, staff will open and inspect it, and then it is delivered during normal mail call.

Your inmate will not know it was sent online unless you mention it in the letter. To them, it simply appears as a printed letter from you.

As long as you used the correct name, ID number, and facility, the letter will reach the jail. From there, timing depends on how quickly the facility processes incoming mail. In a small county jail, mail is often handled fairly quickly, but it can still take a few days.

Keep in mind:

  • All mail is read and inspected by staff
  • Photos are screened and must follow facility rules
  • Delivery depends on the jail’s internal schedule

If you want him to understand how you are sending letters, you can explain it in your message so he knows how to write back and what to expect.

Accepted Answer Date Created: December 18,2014
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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.