Rules For Regular Incoming Mail
Staying in touch through letters is encouraged. Individuals in custody may send and receive unlimited letters to keep communication open with family, friends, legal representatives, and others.
There are two types of mail: Regular Correspondence and Legal / Special Correspondence.
Regular Correspondence
Regular correspondence includes personal letters sent to or from an incarcerated person.
All incoming mail is opened and inspected to help maintain safety inside the facility. Staff screen mail to prevent:
- Contraband (such as drugs or prohibited items)
- Escape plans or criminal activity
- Security threats to staff or incarcerated individuals
Legal / Special Correspondence
Legal or special correspondence includes mail between an incarcerated person and:
- Licensed attorneys and law firms
- State or federal judges and courts
- Elected or appointed government officials
- Parole or probation agencies
- Facility Commander or State Corrections oversight bodies
Legal mail will:
- Be clearly marked “Legal Mail”
- Be opened in the presence of the incarcerated person
- Not be read or scanned, only visually checked for contraband
Outgoing legal correspondence may be inspected in front of the inmate, then sealed and mailed.
Legal mail must include:
- Law firm name
- Attorney’s full name
- Firm’s complete mailing address
(Only legal professionals may use legal-size paper.)
Rules for Regular Incoming Mail
All incoming mail is processed and delivered regularly. If mail is not allowed, it will be returned to the sender. Mail sent at bulk rate cannot be returned and will be discarded. The recipient will receive a written notice if mail is rejected.
If mail is sent for someone no longer in custody, it will be returned to USPS. The facility cannot forward mail or cancel subscriptions.
Required for Delivery:
- Sender’s full return address and full name
- Inmate’s full legal name as used at booking (no nicknames or gang names)
All mail is opened and scanned for safety.
What Is Allowed
- U.S. Postal Service money orders or U.S. government checks
- A reasonable number of personal photographs (no nudity)
- Softcover books, newspapers, or magazines sent directly from:
- A publisher
- An online retailer (e.g., Amazon)
- A retail bookstore (with prior approval)
Book Limit: Up to 2 paperback books per shipment and total reading material in a cell may not exceed 3 pounds.
What Is Not Allowed
Mail may be rejected if it includes:
- Any contraband or prohibited item
- Weapons, drugs, or drug-related items
- Hardcover books or used books
- Polaroid or laminated photos
- Oversized cards, glitter, stickers, or adhesive items
- Nudity, sexually explicit material, or obscene content
- Material that promotes gang activity, hate speech, or violence
- Extra sealed envelopes, stamps, blank envelopes, pens, or cash
- Mail containing foreign substances (e.g., perfume, powders, oils)
- Mail that violates a restraining order