Writing

You can write to prisoners as much as you want — there is no limit.

We encourage family and friends to write letters — as prisoners who keep in contact with family and friends are often more successful, cope better on release — and are less likely to reoffend.

You can get help with writing skills.

Where to send the letter

You will need to locate the prisoner you want to write to.

Once you know which prison they are in you can address the mail to the prisoner at the specified prison.

For example:

Mr Prisoner Name
PO Box 6
Port Augusta SA 5700

Prison postal addresses are listed on our prison pages.

You can also send the letter to the prisoner, addressed to our Central Office.

We will redirect mail addressed if the prisoner is transferred to another prison.

Return address

You must include a return address.
This helps in the event that the person you are writing to is not in custody in a South Australian prison.

Mail carrier

All mail must arrive stamped and via a registered mail carrier — such as Australia Post.

You cannot deliver mail to a prison by hand unless you have pre-approval from the prison general manager.

Mail delivered by hand (with approval) will be inspected and recorded in the usual manner.
Mail delivered without approval will not be accepted.

Mail inspection

All mail is recorded into an electronic system.

Mail will be opened and inspected.
The mail should not contain any items and it will be inspected for contraband and prohibited items.

Newspaper clippings and photographs are allowed – but they will be placed into property and issued to the prisoner at a later time.

The letter will be read and reviewed – and translated if necessary. This may slow down delivery of the letter to the prisoner.

Mail must not contain money for the prisoner.
Find out how to transfer funds to a prisoner.

You will need permission from the prison general manager if you want to ask a prisoner for money or goods.

Mail must not have stickers attached – only postage stamps are allowed. Mail with stickers will be marked as ‘return to sender’.

Intervention orders

Mail will not be delivered to prisoners if there is an intervention order preventing contact between the sender and the prisoner.

Legal mail and correspondence

Legal mail cannot be opened unless it is deemed suspicious – but it must have a clear recognised official stamp.

Examples of ‘legal mail’ include mail from lawyers and solicitors, and government departments and institutions such as The Ombudsman or The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.

If you wish to serve papers to a prisoner, please refer to the above instructions on how to write to and locate a prisoner.