What are the rules for sending money to inmates?

1. The types of money that can be sent to inmates are limited to cash (NTD), money orders issued by Chunghwa Post and cashier’s checks issued by other financial institutions in Taiwan.
2. Each sender can send money to an inmate once a day, which is limited to NT$10,000 each time, unless the money is for paying medical expenses or for other special purposes and it is otherwise approved by a senior official of the correctional facility. When the total amount of an inmate’s money in safekeeping account exceeds NT$100,000, the facility may limit the number of times and the amount of money sent to the inmate.
3. Money sent to inmates can only be dropped off at a counter designated by the facility or mailed to the facility. Money mailed to the facility is limited to cash put in an envelope (value-declared or insured mail of post office), money orders and cashier’s checks.
   1. Drop-off at designated counter: The sender goes to the visitation room, fills out an application, and gives the money and the application form to the staff. The sender should check whether the amount of money shown on the receipt given to him or her is correct.
   2. Registered mail of cash envelope, postal draft or postal note: Sender should purchase a cash envelope or money order (indicate recipient’s name) at a post office or purchase a cashier’s check (indicate recipient’s name), and state on the envelope inmate’s name, number and cell number and sender’s name and telephone, and send the letter by registered mail. Upon receipt, the letter will be given to and opened, counted and signed for receipt by inmate. The mail receipt will be kept by inmate.

What are the rules for sending food to inmates?

1. The types of food that can be sent to inmates are limited to cooked dishes, fruits, cakes, pastries and cookies.
2. Frequency:
   1. According to the Regulations Governing Delivery of Money, Food, and Necessities by Outside Parties to Prisoners and Defendants, a defendant may receive food sent from outside once per day, while a prison inmate is allowed once every three days. But for defendants who are prohibited from sending or receiving things to or from outsides by court or prosecutor, the correctional facility will implement control over the target, extent and duration of prohibition ordered by court or prosecutor.
   2. According to the Act of Execution of Rehabilitation Treatment, no food may be sent to rehab inmates under observation. According to the Act of Execution of Drug Abuse Treatment, no food may be sent to individuals undergoing rehabilitation (detoxification) treatment. However, food may be delivered to them from Chinese New Year’s Eve and the first five days of Chinese lunar calendar, January 1 and 2, Mother’s Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Father’s Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival. The actual time and date will be governed by that posted by the correctional facility in its visitation room or on its website.
   3. As for the rules for other types of inmates, Article 12 of the Regulations Governing Delivery of Money, Food, and Necessities by Outside Parties to Prisoners and Defendants shall apply.
3. Food for inmates should be sent to the counter designated by the facility.

What are the rules for sending necessities to inmates?

1. Each sender is only allowed to send necessities to the same inmate once per month. The limitations on the types and quantity thereof are as follows: one piece each time for quilts, blankets, bed sheets, pillows, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and towels; no more than three pieces or pairs each time for tops, pants, hats, socks, undergarments, and underpants; no more than three books or magazines each time; no more than fifty envelopes, one hundred pieces of writing paper, NT$300 worth of stamps, and three pens or pencils each time; no more than three photographs of relatives or friends each time. Other items such as glasses, NHI card and other identity documents can be sent depending on the actual needs of inmate.
2. If the quantity of the necessities owned by an inmate apparently exceeds the amount an individual would need in daily life, or such necessities occupy the place for safekeeping and living space of inmates, the senior officials may restrict or prohibit the delivery of necessities.
3. How to send necessities to inmates:
   1. If the necessities are dropped off at a counter designated by the facility, sender shall present identity document, and leave his or her name, ID document number, telephone number, domicile or mailing address, inmate’s name and number, type and quantity of things delivered.
   2. If necessities are sent in by post, sender should first obtain a permit or label from the correctional facility, and stick the permit or label to the exterior of the package to be mailed.
   3. Send in by other ways permitted by the facility.

What are the rules for sending things that are not necessities mentioned in Q6-3 to inmates?

1. Inmates may fill out an application form, applying to the correctional facility to have the following things delivered to them from outside;
   1. Newspapers or Braille reading materials.
   2. Items or books related to religious beliefs.
   3. Items required for edification, counseling, or treatment.
   4. Assistive devices needed due to senility, physical or mental disabilities, illness, or other daily needs
   5. Food, clothing, and necessities needed by the children of inmates.
   6. Medicine that is deemed necessary for inmate’s illness by a physician after diagnosis and treatment but is not available in the facility.
   7. Other things permitted by senior officials of the correctional facility.
2. How to send things to inmates:
   1. If the things are dropped off at a counter designated by the facility, sender shall present identity document, and leave his or her name, ID document number, telephone number, domicile or mailing address, inmate’s name and number, type and quantity of things delivered.
   2. If things are mailed in, sender should first obtain a permit or label from the correctional facility, and stick the permit or label to the exterior of the package to be mailed.
   3. Send in by other ways permitted by the facility.

What are the reasons for a facility to refuse the money, food or items sent to inmates?

In case of any of the following circumstances which the facility deems that it adversely affects the order or security of the facility, the facility may restrict or prohibit the delivery of money, food or items to inmates:

1. The delivery does not comply with the provisions of the Regulations Governing Delivery of Money, Food, and Necessities by Outside Parties to Prisoners and Defendants with regard to time, types, quantities (amount), frequency, and procedures.
2. The things delivered cannot be inspected, or is found to contain contraband after an inspection, or is likely to spoil or deteriorate and consequently unable to be consumed or used after an inspection
3. The things delivered are perishable, dangerous, harmful, unsuitable for storage, or cause sanitation concern.
4. The delivery is prohibited or improper in accordance with the Prison Act, Detention Act, or other laws and regulations
5. Other circumstances with facts sufficient to show that that it will adversely affect the order or security of the facility.

Can electrical appliances be sent to inmates?

Inmates who have been permitted to hold electrical appliances personally may apply to the facility and then make purchase inside the facility. No electrical appliances may be sent in from outside.

Can one buy food at visitation room and give them to an inmate?

Inmate’s friends and relatives can buy food at the shop of the visitation room and ask the facility to hand them over the inmate. The purchase each time is limited to NT$2,000. Things such as electrical appliances, batteries, and cigarettes are subjected to restricted use in correctional facilities, and are not open for purchase by inmate’s friends and relatives.

What are the procedures and things to note when sending packages to inmates?

1. Inmates shall submit an application and an itemized list to the facility detailing the names and quantities of items that will be contained in the package, and after obtaining facility’s approval, send the itemized list to a designated friend or relative.
2. Inmate’s friend or relative can deliver the package by post or drop it off at a counter designated by the facility. Items mailed (sent) in shall be consistent with the names and quantities of items shown on the itemized list. The itemized list shall be pasted at the front of the package to facilitate checking.