Reviewed on: April 21,2026
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Will Mail Forward From a Transit Facility to the new Prison

My grandson was in in a distribution center waiting to be take to his final destination .At the time, I did not know he would be moved again, so I sent a copy of my cell phone to him. Will they eventually forward this letter to him @ Sago Palm? Also, how long does it take to get my phone number approved? I already have an an account with Secures. Thank You

Whether mail gets forwarded from a distribution or transit facility to the permanent destination depends on the timing and the specific facility's mail handling
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Answered by a former federal inmate · 14+ years advising families
✓ Verified answer November 08,2015 · Send Inmate Mail
1

Whether mail gets forwarded from a distribution or transit facility to the permanent destination depends on the timing and the specific facility's mail handling procedures.

If your grandson had already been transferred out when the letter arrived the mailroom at the distribution center may forward it to his new location, return it to the sender, or in some cases, simply hold it. There is no universal standard that guarantees forwarding between facilities and the outcome often depends on how current the mailroom's records are and whether a forwarding protocol is in place for inmates who have recently transferred out.

The safest move is to send a new letter directly to Sago Palm now that you have the confirmed address. That eliminates the uncertainty of relying on forwarding from the previous facility and ensures the letter reaches him without delay. Include his full legal name and inmate identification number on the envelope to make sure it routes correctly.

On getting your phone number approved through Securus, the process typically takes two to five business days from the time the number is submitted and verified. Your grandson needs to add your number to his approved contact list through the facility's phone system, which he initiates on his end. Once submitted, Securus runs a verification process before the number is activated for incoming calls.

If you already have a Securus account from a previous facility, the account itself should transfer but the approved contact list may need to be updated for the new facility. Logging into your Securus account and confirming that your number is listed and active under the correct facility is worth checking to avoid any gap in communication once he is settled at Sago Palm.

Accepted Answer Date Created: November 08,2015
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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.