Mail & Photos to Penobscot County Jail. Address & What to Confirm First

The Correct Mailing Address

Send personal mail to:

[Full Legal Name]
Penobscot County Jail
85 Hammond Street
Bangor, ME 04401

Include your return address clearly on the envelope. Mail is opened and inspected by jail staff before it reaches the person you’re writing to, which is standard practice at county jails.

Why Mail Matters More Here

The Sheriff’s Office’s own visitation policy states plainly that visitors cannot hand over letters or other articles during a visit, and that all pictures and letters must arrive through the mail instead. If you want to share a photo, a card, or a letter with someone at Penobscot County Jail, mailing it is the only way to get it to them, since it can’t be passed over the table during a scheduled visit.

Visitor Approval Forms Go to a Different Department

If you’re mailing back a completed visitor application form, send it to the same street address but mark it Attn: Programs Division so it’s routed to the staff who process visitor approvals instead of general inmate mail. See the visitation guide for the full approval process, including the document and ID copy you need to include.

Why You Should Call Before Sending Photos or Packages

Unlike the visitation and money policies, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office does not publish a specific, detailed policy online covering photo formats, paper restrictions, or package rules. Other Maine facilities and many county jails nationally restrict things like Polaroid photos, glued items, glitter, or oversized envelopes, but we could not verify Penobscot County Jail’s exact current rules from an official source. Instead of guessing, call (207) 947-4585 and ask directly what’s accepted before mailing photos, cards, books, or any package, so your mail isn’t delayed or returned.

Mail Inspection

Like other correctional facilities, incoming mail at Penobscot County Jail is opened and inspected by staff before it reaches the inmate. This is standard practice and isn’t specific to Penobscot County, but it’s worth knowing before you send anything you’d consider private.

Legal Mail

The Sheriff’s Office’s published materials don’t separately describe how legal mail from an attorney, court, or government office is handled compared to personal mail. If you’re an attorney or legal representative with a question about sending confidential correspondence, call (207) 947-4585 directly.

What Not to Send

• Cash. Use TouchPay, the lobby in person, or a money order instead.
• Personal checks made out to the inmate. These are placed in their property and returned at release, not deposited.
• Anything you haven’t confirmed is acceptable by calling ahead, especially packages, books, or items beyond a standard letter.

If Someone Has Transferred or Been Released

Before mailing anything, confirm the person is still in custody at Penobscot County Jail. Check the inmate search guide, or call the jail at (207) 947-4585.