Privacy Policy - MailInTheCell.com Effective Date: September 16, 2025

At MailInTheCell.com, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your data when you use our prisoner pen pal platform, whether you’re registering to create a profile, corresponding with inmates, or contacting us for manual profile setup. By using our website, you agree to the practices described below. For questions, please reach out via our Contact Us page.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide a secure and seamless experience for our users, including pen pals, families, friends, and incarcerated individuals. The types of information we collect include:

Personal Information: When you register for an account, create an inmate profile, or contact us, we may collect:

First name and last initial

Email address

State and age (displayed publicly as, e.g., “Jane D., 28, California”)

Payment information (e.g., credit card, debit card, or PayPal details) for membership plans

Inmate details (e.g., name, DOC number, interests, bio) for profile creation

Correspondence Data: Letters or messages sent through our secure messaging system or traditional mail addresses provided by inmates.

Technical Data: Automatically collected data, such as:

IP address, browser type, and device information

Website usage data (e.g., pages visited, time spent) via cookies and analytics tools

Contact Form Data: Information submitted through our Contact Us page for manual profile requests or inquiries.

We do not collect sensitive personal information (e.g., Social Security numbers, full addresses, or financial account details) beyond what is necessary for secure payment processing.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to operate our prisoner pen pal platform and provide a safe, meaningful experience. Specifically, we use it to:

Create and manage user accounts and inmate profiles.

Process payments for membership plans via secure third-party providers (e.g., credit card, debit card, PayPal).

Facilitate correspondence between pen pals and inmates through our messaging system or verified facility addresses.

Ensure compliance with prison regulations and our safety guidelines by reviewing profiles and communications.

Improve our website through analytics (e.g., tracking site usage to enhance user experience).

Respond to inquiries or manual profile requests submitted via our Contact Us page.

Send account-related notifications (e.g., profile approval, payment confirmation) via email.

3. How We Share Your Information

Your privacy is our priority. We only share information as follows:

Public Profile Information: For inmate profiles, we display only the first name, last initial, state, age, and approved bio/photo (e.g., “John S., 35, Texas”) to potential pen pals.

With Service Providers: We share payment information with trusted third-party processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) to handle transactions securely. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.

With Correctional Facilities: We may share inmate profile details (e.g., DOC number, facility address) to verify eligibility and comply with prison regulations.

Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a court order or to prevent illegal activity.

No Third-Party Marketing: We do not sell or share your information with third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Data Security

We take robust measures to protect your data:

Encryption: Payment information is encrypted using industry-standard SSL/TLS protocols.

Access Controls: Only authorized personnel can access user data, and all profiles are reviewed for safety before going live.

Secure Messaging: Our messaging system is designed to protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized access.

Regular Audits: We conduct regular security audits to ensure compliance with best practices.

However, no online platform is 100% secure. We encourage users to protect their account credentials and avoid sharing sensitive details in correspondence.

5. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

Essential Cookies: Enable core functionality, such as account login and payment processing.

Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our site (e.g., via Google Analytics) to improve performance.

Preference Cookies: Remember your settings (e.g., language or display preferences).

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit some website features.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have control over your data:

Access or Update: Log in to view or edit your account/profile information.

Delete: Request deletion of your account or an inmate profile by contacting us at Contact Us. Note that some data (e.g., payment records) may be retained for legal or accounting purposes.

Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from email notifications using the link in our emails.

Do Not Track: We honor Do Not Track signals where applicable.

Users in certain regions (e.g., EU, California) may have additional rights under laws like GDPR or CCPA. Contact us to exercise these rights.

7. Third-Party Links

Our website may include links to external sites (e.g., PayPal, correctional facilities). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. Review their policies before sharing information.

8. Children’s Privacy

MailInTheCell.com is intended for users 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18. If we discover such data, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Users

Our services are hosted in the United States. By using MailInTheCell.com, you consent to your data being processed in the U.S., subject to applicable laws.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Check back periodically for updates.

11. Contact Us

For questions, requests, or concerns about your privacy, please reach out via our Contact Us page or email us at info@mailinthecell.com. We’ll respond promptly to address your needs.

Thank you for trusting MailInTheCell.com with your prisoner pen pal journey. We’re committed to keeping your information safe while fostering meaningful connections.