How to send a parcel to a pre-trial detention center by Russian post: what is allowed and what is strictly prohibited to be sent, what are the advantages and disadvantages, how to pack?

A person’s stay in a pre-trial detention center or correctional colony does not deprive him of the right to receive regular parcels from loved ones and relatives. In addition to directly transferring things to a prisoner, delivery of parcels to a pre-trial detention center can be carried out in other ways. How to send a parcel to prison by mail or by ordering in an online store? Let's consider the basic rules and procedure.

Sending a package to a pre-trial detention center: what the correct package should be, important features

Being in prison is a difficult period in the life of a person who has broken the law. At this time, he needs both moral and material support from relatives. Relatives who are far from the prisoner can send their parcel to the pre-trial detention center via Russian Post. Such delivery will take a lot of time and require certain financial expenses, but in the end the prisoner will receive the parcel with a 100% probability.

Will there be an amnesty in 2021?

This issue lies within the competence of the Russian State Duma. The last time it was allowed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. And this happened in 2015.

Last December, a meeting of the Council was held, in which President Vladimir Putin took part. He expressed that it is advisable to hold a broad amnesty in our country.

If we rely on the statement of Pavel Krasheninnikov, we can say that there are no plans for an amnesty in the country in 2021. However, it is not excluded. Our officials have not yet announced the exact date.

Krasheninnikov focuses on the fact that he categorically does not support amnesty under the same articles of the Criminal Code.

Previous amnesties

Amnesties have already been held in the past. So, in 2013 there were even two of them:

economic, which affected 2.3 thousand citizens;

on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution.

The last amnesty in our country was in 2015. It was timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Victory.

On the possibility of sending parcels to convicts by Russian Post

The regulations for sending parcels to pre-trial detention centers are established by the Internal Regulations of Pre-trial Detention Facilities. According to this document, each prisoner is entitled to an unlimited number of parcels, but the total weight of the parcels is limited to 30 kilograms per month.

Certain categories of citizens enjoy a benefit that eliminates the monthly limit on parcels:

pregnant women;
minors;
mothers in pre-trial detention centers with children under three years of age;
persons suffering from chronic diseases (if there is a medical certificate).

The weight of one parcel accepted by Russian Post should not exceed 20 kg, so each prisoner can receive two parcels per month. It is better to send them with a time interval of 7-10 days. This increases the likelihood of a safe arrival at your destination.

How to properly collect a parcel?

Sending a parcel to a pre-trial detention center consists of the following steps::

Food and things that the prisoner needs are purchased.
The contents of the parcel are packed.
The parcel is delivered to a Russian Post collection point (in a regular office or a specialized one), where its acceptance is formalized, postage is paid for and a receipt with a track number is issued.

However, each stage has its own nuances that must be kept in mind.

What products can you eat?

You can transfer to the pre-trial detention center products that:

They do not require heat treatment for cooking. There are no microwaves or electric stoves in the cells. The maximum that is available is a low-power household boiler or electric kettle. Therefore, for example, instant noodles are acceptable, but dumplings, raw potatoes or meat are no longer acceptable.
Does not require a refrigerator. He's not in the cells either. The maximum that is available is to put perishable foods on the windowsill in winter. That is why the list of permitted products in pre-trial detention centers often differs depending on whether the parcel is sent in winter or summer.
They are packaged in such a way that the packaging cannot be used as a weapon (therefore, canned food in glass jars will never pass inspection: a piece of glass in skillful hands is a good cutting blade. The same rule applies to tin: canned food in tin cans will be opened and given to the prisoner only if he has somewhere to put them).

In general, you can focus on the following list of permitted products:

Coffee, instant or finely ground natural. It makes no sense to hand over grain: coffee grinders are not on the list of things allowed in the cells.
Tea, preferably small or medium leaf. The admissibility of tea bags must be clarified in each individual pre-trial detention center. Sometimes the bags turn out to be prohibited items.
Bouillon cubes and powders, salt, pepper.
Condensed milk - but only pre-poured into a plastic container.
Vegetable oil.
Instant porridges and soups.
Dry-cured sausage (however, it is better to clarify the admissibility of it in advance).
Honey in plastic packaging.
Candies (preferably caramel ones - they don’t spoil longer and are easier to check).
Salted lard. Regarding smoked food, you also need to clarify in advance: in some places it is not allowed, in others it is allowed, but only in the cold season.
Dried fruits.
Rusks, dry cookies.
Onions, garlic (but only well dried).

Cigarettes are acceptable, but you need to be prepared for the fact that they will be broken during inspection: the pre-trial detention center staff checks whether they actually contain tobacco and not hemp or other narcotic substances.

Therefore, here it is better to use an online purchase in a departmental online store - or transfer money to the prisoner’s personal account so that he can purchase it himself at a kiosk (see the list of current services for transferring to a pre-trial detention center via the Internet, and also find out how to place an order for delivery through the online store, here). As a last resort, it is better to unpack the packs and tie the cigarettes with string or rubber bands to make checking easier.

What things are allowed?

The regulations for the pre-trial detention center stipulate that prisoners must be provided with basic necessities. However, their quality almost always leaves much to be desired - therefore, it is better to send the prisoner, based on Appendix No. 2 to the Internal Regulations of Pre-trial Detention Facilities (approved by Order of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation No. 189 of 2005):

Underwear – no more than 4 sets. Color – preferably discreet, black, gray or blue. Any items of green or khaki clothing are expressly prohibited - this is the color of the guards.
2-3 T-shirts (without patterns, pockets or emblems).
Slippers - rubber or plastic, so that they can be used not only in the cell, but also in the bathhouse.
Sports suit . It is believed that red suits cannot be transferred. There is no such ban officially anywhere, but it’s better not to risk it.
Shorts in the summer.
Pants that can be worn without a belt (belts and laces are prohibited in cells).
Jacket (preferably a regular bologna jacket). If there is a strap or cord for tightening to fit the figure, it is better to remove it immediately.
Boots - without laces, horseshoes and metal instep supports (they will be torn out during inspection). Sneakers are acceptable. It is recommended that the shoes be black: if they are transferred from the pre-trial detention center after the trial to a colony, they will be allowed to take them with them.
Sweaters or jackets made of thick, warm fabric . It is forbidden to transfer knitted items: prisoners often unravel them into ropes.
White sheets and duvet covers
Towels (two or three).
Dishes – plastic or aluminum.
Please remember: only spoons (table and tea spoons) are allowed as cutlery, forks are prohibited.

Hygiene items are also acceptable for donation.:

soap;
shampoo;
toothpaste;
for women - pads or just cotton wool.

A useful thing in a pre-trial detention center would be a nylon sponge or a plastic comb . Passing metal combs, nail scissors with sharp edges, or files is prohibited. Only disposable razors are allowed. Finally, the scarce thing in pre-trial detention centers is always paper. Therefore, it is useful to send both writing and toilet items in the parcel. Writing utensils are allowed, but only with black or blue lead or ink.

What is strictly prohibited?

Regardless of the rules of a particular pre-trial detention center, the following things are absolutely prohibited:

Communication means (mobile phones, tablets, smartphones, etc.).
Weapons and items that can be used as them.
Alcohol and alcohol-containing substances (even perfumes). Also unacceptable are means for making homemade alcohol - yeast or sugar.
Drugs, potent substances and psychotropics.
Images and texts of erotic or pornographic content, as well as extremist content.
Optics (except glasses).
Cameras, sound recording or computer equipment.
Watch.

How to unpack correctly?

When sending parcels to a pre-trial detention center, all products must be freed from factory packaging and prepared for inspection. In particular, any kind of vermicelli or instant noodles should be opened, the seasoning packets taken out and poured into a common bag. Candies should also be freed from boxes and wrappers. All plastic bags should be tied, but not tightly so that they can be easily untied.

Unpacking should be done in such a way as to facilitate the inspection by the pre-trial detention center staff and not give reasons for suspicion. It should be remembered: if there is the slightest doubt about the contents, the parcel will be disposed of, and the prisoner will not receive it.

How to pack?

You can use it to pack the parcel.:

Branded corrugated cardboard packaging of Russian Post (sold at any post office).
Any cardboard boxes of suitable size , but not larger than the maximum established by Russian Post. The box should not have stickers or inscriptions, so if, for example, packaging for shoes, household appliances or some goods is used, it is better to carefully unfasten it, turn it inside out and fasten it again.
Cardboard or fabric packaging is acceptable . You can use homemade boxes or bags, but there should not be any stickers or inscriptions on their outside. Fabric packaging must be made of homogeneous pieces of light-colored fabric, sewn with an internal seam. It is unacceptable to use foil or metallized fabric for packaging.

Things or products are placed inside the box.
They should be placed so that the contents do not rattle or move around inside the package. It is better to place the heaviest things at the bottom or closer to the center of the box, and use soft ones (toilet paper, towels, etc.) as padding for fragile ones. For postal parcels, an application is not required, but it makes sense to put in the box a piece of paper with a list of what and in what quantity (pieces or weight) was sent (read about how to correctly draw up an application for the transfer of food and belongings to a pre-trial detention center). It is also worth including several plastic bags with handles so that the pre-trial detention center staff can hand things and food to the prisoner directly into them.

Filling out documents

The box is delivered to the post office open . Taping it at home is unacceptable, since Russian Post employees have the right (and obligation) to check the contents. If a branded box is used, the address is written on it, if a homemade one, fill in the accompanying address (f. 116) and the address label (f. 7-p).

In addition, it makes sense to attach an inventory of the contents to the parcel (f. 107). In case of a dispute with the post office or the administration of the pre-trial detention center, it will confirm the quantity sent, since the second copy remains with the sender. After the parcel is sent, the citizen receives a receipt with the shipping cost indicated on it - and, most importantly, the tracking number of the parcel. Using it, using the Russian Post online service, you can track where the parcel is located.

You can send not only parcels, but also correspondence to the pre-trial detention center. Read about how to write a simple letter or an email, including through the Zonatelecom operator, so that it passes censorship on our website.

What is often transferred to pre-trial detention centers?

Before sending a parcel to the prison by mail, you should familiarize yourself with the list of items allowed for acceptance. In addition to hygiene items, several changes of linen and disposable machines, the prisoner must be given cigarettes and tea. Even if a man does not smoke, a few packs of tobacco products will not hurt him - the prison has its own rules of communication between prisoners.

Since postal items have a considerable transit time, everything that can be placed in a parcel of products must have a long shelf life. Most often this happens:

instant coffee, tea;
powdered milk;
instant semi-finished products (mashed potatoes, soups, noodles);
crackers and biscuits;
candies;
onion garlic;
nuts, dried fruits.

It is advisable to pack light weight and small volume products in a mailbox - this way you will be able to comply with the limit and transfer the maximum number of useful items.

Sending a Parcel to Prison: A Step-by-Step Guide

After the list of things permitted for transfer to the detention center has been studied, you can begin collecting the parcel. It is advisable to follow the following procedure:

all products and industrial goods must be placed in separate transparent bags;
cigarettes should be removed from the packs, and all products should be freed from packaging;
the box for the parcel is purchased at the post office - in order to choose the appropriate container size, you need to visually assess the volume of items being sent;
Things should be packed into the box as tightly as possible, placing the heaviest items in the center. Layered content layout allows you to place many more items;
fill out an inventory of the contents in three copies - two of them are certified by the operator’s signature and postmark, the third remains in the hands of the sender. When filling out the inventory, the parcel must be presented to the postal worker in an open form;

correctly fill out the notification form - indicating full name, postal addresses with the obligatory indication of the postal code. The name and patronymic of both the recipient and the sender are written in full, without abbreviations;
When registering, you can indicate the value of the parcel in rubles - however, you must remember that this will increase the cost of shipping;
hand over the parcel to the postal worker for packaging. In this case, it is advisable to ensure that the postal tape securely fastens all the connecting seams of the box;
After paying the cost of the shipment, pick up a receipt that will indicate an identifier - a number by which you can track the passage of the parcel.

Shipping cost

The cost of postage is determined depending on several factors:

length of the delivery route;
shipping weight – if the box weight is within 10-20 kg, a 40% surcharge will be charged;
delivery method - regular or expedited;
declared value will increase the price by 3.4% of the stated amount.

The most common tariff for delivering a shipment over a distance of 600-2000 km is 235 rubles for the first 500 g and 24 rubles for every half kilogram of weight until the weight of the parcel being sent is reached. To know how much delivery will cost, it is advisable to use the built-in calculator on the official website of the Russian Post.

Summing up

If relatives and friends of the prisoner do not have the opportunity to hand over the necessary things and products to the pre-trial detention center in person, you can use other methods - sending a parcel through the post office or placing an order in an online store. In any case, it is necessary to follow the rules established by the Federal Penitentiary Service and formulate the transfer in accordance with the permitted list. Any attempt to circumvent the requirements will result in the confiscation of prohibited items and complications for the prisoner.

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Advantages and disadvantages of mailing

Clause 16, part 1, art. 17 of the Federal Law “On the detention of suspects and accused of committing crimes” states that those in pre-trial detention centers have the right to receive both regular parcels and parcels.

Therefore, their loved ones who want to support the person in custody have the right to send them some things and products not only through the collection points in the pre-trial detention center, but also with the help of Russian Post. Advantages of the postal method :

There is no need to find out when the pre-trial detention center accepts parcels, go somewhere, or stand in line. All you have to do is go to the nearest post office and send your parcel.
It is often not possible to go through the entire procedure (from arrival at the pre-trial detention center to checking the contents of the transfer and accepting the permitted content) in one day.
This means extra costs for a repeat trip or overnight stay. This problem is especially relevant when a relative or friend of a prisoner lives in one city, and the detention center is located in another. When sending a parcel, this problem will not arise: the sender does not have to appear in person at the pre-trial detention center at all - the postmen and employees of the Federal Penitentiary Service will do everything for him.
There is no need to take time off from work and waste a day on a trip to a pre-trial detention center. In most cases, you can go to a post office after business hours - or you can find one that is open when the sender has a day off.
This method is convenient for those who do not want anyone outside to know about their connection with the accused or suspect. When sending by mail, only postal workers know about the addressee and recipient - and they are usually not inclined to be interested in the identity of those they serve.

However, there are also disadvantages:

Any transfers and parcels are still subject to inspection and verification. But if, upon personal appearance, prohibited items are simply returned to the person who is trying to give them to the prisoner, then when sent by mail, they can almost always be considered irretrievably lost. The administration of the pre-trial detention center is not inclined to waste time and money on sending things back that did not pass inspection: prohibited items and products will be disposed of.
Delivery time is extremely long.
The parcel will be delivered within the time limits stipulated by the Russian Post standards (despite jokes about its slowness, a parcel from, say, Belgorod to St. Petersburg is delivered in just 5 days). However, you will still need to wait until the pre-trial detention center officers pick it up (and they usually arrive on their own schedule), then wait until the contents pass inspection. All together usually means that the citizen under investigation will not receive it in his hands before a month later. Accordingly, it is strictly not recommended to send perishable products this way.
Parcels are not always handled carefully - therefore, it is strictly not recommended to send canned food in glass containers or food in fragile plastic containers.
Sending a parcel means additional postage costs.
The package may be lost at any stage of delivery. At the same time, there is a pattern: the more expensive the contents, the more likely it is that the recipient will not receive it: the parcel will either disappear in the depths of the postal system - or its contents will turn out to be “unusable” and disposed of.

Now there is an intermediate way to transfer things and products to a pre-trial detention center - purchasing them in a specialized online store and delivering them directly to the prisoner.

The advantage of this method is that you don’t need to worry about prohibited goods: such stores enter into agreements with the FSIN institutions, take into account the rules - and there are simply no prohibited goods there.

The only downsides will be an additional (and quite significant) markup on goods and delivery services - and a non-zero chance of running into scammers.