Family communication toolkit

Contacting Tihar Jail

A step-by-step guide for families using the Indiaprison system. Everything below is aggregated from public sources; the prison's own official channels are linked where available.

Data is aggregated from public sources and may be incomplete or out of date. Always verify with primary sources before acting on any figure. See data sources.

Send mail to India

Address block. Copy and paste into your envelope or shipping label.

Inmate Full Name + prisoner number / crime number
Tihar Jail
Tihar Village
New Delhi 110018
India

This prison's specific mail rules

Inmate Name & Prison Number, Central Jail Tihar [Jail No.], Tihar Village, New Delhi 110018, India.

Country-wide mail rules

· Letters screened by jail authorities; frequency limited to typically 1–2 per week for convicts, more for undertrials.
· Cash not accepted by post — deposit at the jail canteen counter during visits, or via the state's e-mulaqat portal where available.
· Books require prior approval from the jail superintendent.

Send money (INR (₹))

e-Mulaqat / prisoner canteen deposit — state portals
Every state runs its own portal. Delhi Tihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh have the most-used systems.

Phone calls

· Since ~2019, most states allow 5–10 minute inmate-initiated calls to pre-registered family numbers via jail telephony (e.g. Tihar's PPP kiosks).
· All calls monitored and recorded except calls to lawyers on record.

This prison's general number: +91 11 28523911(administrative — you cannot speak to inmates this way)

Visiting

Book a visit: e-Mulaqat — state prison portal

Book online at the state's e-mulaqat page 2–3 days ahead; walk-in visits still work at most jails.

This prison's visiting rules

Visits via the eMulaqat online appointment portal; 30 minutes; ID required.

Country-wide visiting rules

· Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence) required.
· Visit duration: 20–30 minutes typical; higher for undertrials with pending trial dates.
· No electronics; belongings deposited at reception.
· Certain jails allow physical contact (open room); most use a wire-mesh visitor cabin.

First-visit checklist

Aadhaar or passport (original)
Visit confirmation printout (if online booking used)
Small denomination cash for canteen deposit (₹500 / ₹100 notes)
Sober clothing; women often more comfortable in salwar-kameez
Cell phone deposited in jail cloak-room

Legal aid

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

Helpful to know

· Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI, humanrightsinitiative.org) publishes state prison manuals and can help families navigate jail rules.
· Prison Reforms Programme by Prayas TISS (prayastiss.org) offers social-work support to families in Maharashtra.

Important

This toolkit aggregates publicly available guidance. Rules vary by facility and change over time — always confirm with the prison's official contact channels before sending mail, money, or attempting a visit.