Mail and Photos to Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center

The Correct Mailing Address

Address personal letters, cards, and photos like this:

[Inmate's Full Name, PPN Number]
Philadelphia IPCS, PA
PO Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Do not mail personal letters directly to PICC’s physical address. Philadelphia’s Department of Prisons will return them to sender since all personal mail is routed through a third-party scanning center first.

Legal Mail Is Different

Correspondence from an attorney, marked “Legal Mail,” goes directly to the facility instead of the PO Box:

[Inmate's Full Name, PPN Number]
Legal Mail
Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center
8301 State Road
Philadelphia, PA 19136

Money Orders Go Directly to the Facility Too

Unlike personal letters, money orders and certified checks are mailed directly to PICC instead of through the mail scanning center. See the send money guide for full details.

Letter Rules

Use pencil or pen only, on plain white paper, in a plain white envelope. A maximum of 2 stickers is allowed, and glitter isn’t permitted.

Photo Rules

Photos are capped at 5x7 inches. No nudity, weapons, money, or drug depictions. An inmate can have a maximum of 5 photos in their possession at any time, so anything beyond that limit may be rejected or have to be sent back out.

Skip the Scanning Delay With Pigeonly

Since all personal mail routes through a third-party scanner before it reaches PICC, sending photos and letters digitally through Pigeonly can be faster and avoids the 5-photo possession limit becoming an issue with physical prints piling up.

Books, Magazines, and Newspapers

These must ship directly from an approved third-party vendor, like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or the Philadelphia Inquirer, straight to the facility. Hardback books aren’t accepted.

Packages

Packages aren’t allowed at PICC under any circumstances.

How the Scanning Process Affects Delivery Time

Because personal mail is scanned and delivered electronically rather than handed over as a physical letter, expect some processing delay between when you mail something and when it reaches the person you’re writing to. The original paper item generally isn’t returned to the sender once scanned.

If Mail Is Rejected

Philadelphia’s official pages don’t detail a specific rejection notification process. If you’re unsure why something didn’t go through, call PICC directly at (215) 685-7100.

Writing a First Letter

Keep a first letter straightforward: who you are, your relationship to the person, and that you plan to stay in touch. Make sure your return address is legible, since an unclear return address can complicate the scanning process.