Send a letter to someone in prison
You can write a letter to a person in a Canadian correctional institution online. Type your letter, enter the inmate's mailing address with their identification number, and we print, seal, and mail it via Canada Post.
How it works
Four steps. Most letters take under two minutes from sign-in to mailed.
- 1
Type your letter online
Compose your letter in our editor. Plain text and basic formatting come through clearly.
- 2
Enter the inmate's mailing address
Use the format the institution requires, including the inmate identification number on its own line.
- 3
Pay the flat fee
One price covers paper, envelope, postage, and Canada Post delivery.
- 4
We mail within 24 hours
Your letter is printed on plain white paper and sealed in a plain white envelope before mailing.
Who this is for
- Family members staying in touch
- Friends sending news from outside
- People who want to write but do not own a printer
- Anyone abroad who wants to send a letter to someone incarcerated in Canada
Common use cases
Stay in touch with family
Send weekly letters with news, photos, or messages from family members.
Faith and support letters
Send messages of support from a community, church, or volunteer group.
Photos and printed images
Attach printed images that comply with the institution's photo policy.
What you can rely on
PostPal is operated as a utility, not a marketing channel. We do one thing: print and mail your documents through Canada Post.
- Domestic
- $6
- 2-4 business days
- International
- $12
- 6-12 business days
- Plain white paper and envelope — no logos or branding on the outside
- Mailed via Canada Post within 24 hours
- Letter contents are reviewed only for legality, not stored
- Stripe-secured payment
Frequently asked questions
Will the institution accept a letter from PostPal?
Most Canadian correctional institutions accept standard mail through Canada Post. Each institution sets its own rules — check what is allowed (page count, photos, attachments, sender identification) on the institution's website before sending.
How should I address the envelope?
Use the format the institution publishes. Typically: inmate full name, inmate identification number, institution name, institution street address, city, province, postal code. Place the inmate identification number on its own line.
Are photos allowed?
Some institutions allow printed photos as letter attachments; others restrict them. Check the receiving institution's mail policy before attaching images. PostPal can attach images, but cannot guarantee the institution will deliver them.
Can I include a return address?
Yes. The return address you enter is printed on the envelope. Some institutions require a verified sender address.
How long will it take?
Canada Post delivery is typically 2-4 business days. The institution then processes incoming mail, which can add anywhere from a day to two weeks depending on facility policy and volume.
Can I send a letter to a US prison from Canada?
Yes. Letters to US correctional facilities are mailed at the international rate. Be sure to follow the receiving facility's mail policy — many require letters to be mailed via specific approved providers.
Related solutions
Other ways to send mail through PostPal.
Ready to send?
Type a letter or upload a PDF. We mail it via Canada Post within 24 hours.