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How to mail a letter to an inmate at Oregon State Penitentiary

To write to someone held at Oregon State Penitentiary, address your envelope to the inmate's full committed name and SID number, Oregon State Penitentiary, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. Oregon State Penitentiary is a state penitentiary in Salem, Oregon, operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections.

Inmate mail — Oregon State Penitentiary

[Inmate's full committed name]  [SID number]
Oregon State Penitentiary
2605 State Street
Salem, OR  97310

Put the inmate's full committed name and SID number on the first line, and mail to the institution's inmate-mail address here — not its street address. Mail without a usable name and SID number is returned.

Verified August 2026oregon.govoregon.gov

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Your name
Your return address

Oregon State Penitentiary2605 State StreetSalem, OR 97310

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Key facts

  • Send mail to Oregon State Penitentiary, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310 — the institution's inmate-mail address, not its street address.
  • Oregon sends mail to each institution directly. Address it to the adult in custody’s full name (as it appears on DOC records — no nicknames) and Oregon SID number, then the facility’s own address.
  • Include your full name and return address. Mail without the SID number or a return address can be rejected.
  • Since January 2025, incoming mail must be in pen, pencil, typewriting, or photocopy — no colored pencil, marker, or crayon, no colored paper, and no paper heavier than standard weight.
  • Confirm the person’s current institution on DOC’s Adult in Custody Lookup before mailing. Oregon plans to move most personal mail to scanned/digital delivery near the end of 2026, so verify the current method before a time-sensitive letter.
  • PostPal prints and mails your letter for you the next business day for $5 — with your return address printed so the inmate can write back, and no printer, envelope, or stamp needed.

How to send your letter

  1. 1

    Confirm the person is still at Oregon State Penitentiary

    Inmates are transferred between facilities without notice. Confirm they are still at Oregon State Penitentiary — and double-check the SID number — before you mail anything, using the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC)'s official inmate locator.

  2. 2

    Address it exactly

    First line: the inmate's full committed name and SID number. Then Oregon State Penitentiary, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. Add your full return address.

  3. 3

    Keep the contents allowed

    Plain letter-size paper is safest. Do not enclose cash, stamps, gift cards, or any object other than paper — prohibited items get the whole letter rejected. Check the mail rules above before adding photos.

  4. 4

    Send it without a printer

    Write or upload your letter to PostPal with this address prefilled, and we print, envelope, and mail it via USPS the next business day for $5 — your return address printed so they can reply.

Common questions

How do I address a letter to an inmate at Oregon State Penitentiary?

Put the inmate's full committed name and SID number on the first line, then Oregon State Penitentiary, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. Include your full first and last name and return address on the envelope.

Is mail to Oregon State Penitentiary opened, read, or scanned?

Expect it to be. Incoming personal mail is opened and inspected for contraband and can be read under the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC)'s rules.

What can I send to Oregon State Penitentiary — photos, cards, or books?

Photos are generally allowed; no polaroids or laminated photos, and nothing nude or sexually explicit. Books and magazines must come directly from an approved publisher or vendor, not in personal mail.

What can't I mail to Oregon State Penitentiary?

Do not send: Cash, checks, money orders, or postage stamps; Any item other than paper (no polaroids, laminated items, or enclosures); Nude, sexually explicit, or contraband-promoting content; Colored pencil, marker, crayon, colored paper, or paper heavier than standard weight; Stickers, glitter, glue, tape, perfume, or lipstick. Prohibited items get the letter rejected or destroyed.

What if the person has been transferred or released?

The letter will not reliably reach them or come back to you. Confirm they are still at Oregon State Penitentiary before mailing, since the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) moves people without notice.

Can the inmate write back to me?

Yes, if you include a complete return address. Inmates can send outgoing mail, though they may need to cover their own postage. PostPal prints your return address for you.

Sources

Addresses verified August 2026 against official sources. Always confirm on the official site before time-sensitive filings.

See the full Oregon inmate mail rules — what you can and can’t send, photos & more →

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