The only thing an inmate in the Arkansas Department of Correction is allowed to receive is a letter. No packages are allowed to be mailed in. All appropriate publications have to be shipped directly from a recognizable company.

When sending a letter, know that it will be opened before it is distributed to the inmate. You can write as many letters as you would like.
If you have any other questions do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Kenetta Hill-Ridgell
Public Information Officer
870.267.6344
E Mail:Kenetta.Hill-Ridgell@mail.state.ar.us

Inmates may receive mail. Several items are not permitted to enter correctional facilities.

Address the letter as follows:

Inmate Name
Inmate I.D. Number
(For DCC and Gander Hill Prison Only)
Institution/Facility Name
Facility Address
City, State, Zip Code







FLORIDA DOC

E-Mail:central.classification@mail.dc.state.fl.us

In order to send a letter to an offender, complete the following steps:

If you know the offender's location and Department of Corrections number (DC#):Look up the mailing address of the facility in our facility directory or by finding the Facility Profile. The Facility Profile will also include directions for driving to the facility.

Write the offender utilizing the below format:

Address the envelope as follows:
Offender's committed last name, first name, DC#
Facility name
Mailing address
City & State, Zip Code

Example:

Doe, John DC# 012456
Some Correctional Institution
1212 South Street
Any Town, Florida 11111

* The inmate will provide you with the DC#. The DC# can also be located through the Inmate Population Information Search.
You may include with your letter any of the following:

pictures (no polaroids)
for a list of prohibited enclosures, please see Chapter 33-602.401, Florida Administrative Code

DO NOT send money of any type. For information on sending money, please see the instructions for inmate deposits.

Please do not send any packages.
If you do not know the offender's location or DC#, then find the offender using our inmate population search. This will provide the DC# and the facility in which the offender is located. Proceed with step 1 above.

By Phone:

Incoming telephone calls for offenders will not be accepted. In the event of family emergency (such as serious illness or death in the family) you may contact the chaplain's office. The chaplain will notify the offender. Offenders, except those in administrative confinement, disciplinary confinement, close management or on death row are allowed to make collect telephone calls. Offenders are allowed to place up to 10 telephone numbers on their authorized phone list. If the offender has not placed your number on the list, he or she cannot call you.

Offenders can change their phone list every six months. There are two exceptions to this policy:

If someone already on the list changes his or her phone number, the offender can have the new number placed on the list.
If an offender gets married, he or she can have the spouse added to the list.
All telephone calls are limited to 10 minutes and are subject to monitoring (except legal counsel).
By E-Mail:

Inmates are not authorized access to the Internet for obvious security reasons.
Therefore, inmates can not send or receive e-mail.

ILLINOIS

Inmates may receive correspondence, paperback books, magazines and newspapers that are not racist or pornographic. They may possess an inexpensive necklace with religious medallion (not over $50) and own a wristwatch, which they buy in the commissary. Inmates may receive cashier's checks or money orders not to exceed $50 addressed to them with their inmate number and your name and address. Money orders should be sent to the business office of the prison.

Montana State Prison

Photos can be sent in the mail. Sometimes family members send in stamps, etc. in the mail and these items would be returned.

Inmates are allowed to send letters to any person or organization, unless that person has notifified the institution that they object to receiving such mail.

Inmates shall be allowed to send as many letters as they wish, unless evidence related to institutional security, order or rehabilitation exists to justify a limit.

All inmate mail, incoming or outgoing, may be read and /or photocopied, when circumstances or information exists which would cause the Warden or his designee to believe that another person or persons has or may be in the process of violating the law or a departmental policy, to maintain proper supervision of inmates or the safety and security of the Institution.

Outgoing mail will be sent to the Mail Room unsealed with the exception of privileged correspondence.

Incoming general correspondence:

Money orders may be received only from immediate family members who have been approved on the inmate's correspondence and visiting list.

Inmates will be allowed to receive actual newspaper clippings and magazine articles (no photo copies) related to family activities and the inmate's legal actions only.

Inmates will not be allowed to receive items that have stickers, ink stamps/markings, lip impressions, perfumes or powders on them.
There shall be no limit on the amount of First Class mail an inmate is allowed to receive.

Mail must clearly state the inmate's name and identification number.

Money received via first class mail must be in the form of a U.S. Postal Money Order only. Money may be received from two sources:
Immediate family members and approved business transactions.
Inmate may be authorized to receive funds from one non-family, only if that inmate does not receive any funds from their immediate family. Special authorization so required by the Mail Room Supervisor.

Inmates may receive magazines, newspapers or other printed matter, providing such material is sent directly by the publisher or an authorized retail outlet, and providing such material: does not contain instructions for manufacturing of explosives, weapons, drugs, etc., does not advocate violence, does not advocate racial, religious or national supremacy or hatred, does not encourage behavior which is detrimental to rehabilitation such as gambling, illegal sexual activities or encouraging the commission of a crime;
does not violate any other existing institutional policy.

OKLAHOMA DOC

Oklahoma Department of Corrections Facility Operations

http://www.doc.state.ok.us/Offtech/op030117.htm

For ALL Of The Rules


Incoming Non-privileged Mail

All incoming non-privileged mail and packages will be opened and inspected for enforcement of correspondence guidelines and institutional security. All such correspondence is subject to being read. All incoming mail must contain the return address of the sender and the name and DOC number of the inmate.      (3-4433, 3-4436, 3-ACRS-5C-04)

2. Mail violating inmate correspondence guidelines will be held for 15 days pending inmate response to the written notice of the facility's intent to return the correspondence.

a. If a grievance is filed, such correspondence will be held until final disposition of the grievance.

b. After the 15 days or disposition of the grievance resulting in unfavorable results to the inmate, the correspondence will be handled in a manner consistent with this procedure as described in Section I. B. 8. item e.

3. Unauthorized items will be returned to the sender at the inmate's expense within 30 days or the items  disposed of appropriately. (3-4436)

a.The inmate will be given an explanation of why the item was seized. It will be the inmate's responsibility to notify the sender.

b.Any contraband violating federal or state statutes will be delivered to the proper authority for disposition and will not be returned to sender.

4. Cash or personal checks found in the mail will be returned to the sender. If cost is incurred, it will be at the expense of the inmate. (3-4435)

5. Cashier checks or money orders will be credited to the inmate's trust fund draw account and a receipt given to the inmate. It will be the responsibility of the inmate to notify the sender of receipt. (3-4435)

6. Incoming letters and packages will be distributed within 24 hours excluding weekends, holidays,and emergencies. Mail received for inmates on out count,if unopened, will be forwarded within 48 hours. Outgoing letters and packages will be placed in the United States mail within 24 hours excluding weekends, holidays, and emergencies. Opened letters and packages will be forwarded within a reasonable time and at the inmate's expense. (3-4437)

7. All facilities will maintain the forwarding address of inmates released or paroled on file for one year. Location of transfers will be obtained as needed from the inmate record system. (3-4438, 3-ACRS-5C-05)

a. First class, presorted first class, express mail and priority mail will be forwarded directly to the inmate's current location within 24 hours of receipt, excluding weekends, holidays, and emergencies.

b.First class, presorted first class, express mail and priority mail received for escaped or deceased inmates will be returned to sender as non-deliverable.

c. Periodicals (magazines or newpapers) and junk mail (bulk mailing, presorted standard, presorted,standard, non profit organization, and advertisements) will not be forwarded to any inmate, but will be discarded or donated to the education department. It is not required to log these items.

d.Inmates will be informed of their responsibility to notify sending parties of their address changes.

Oregon State Prison

Incoming Mail

(1) Incoming mail shall require the sender's complete name and return address on the front of the envelope and shall be addressed to the inmate using only his/her committed name and SID number. Mail whose recipient cannot be identified because of incomplete name or number will be returned to the sender.

Mail with no return address or an incomplete name and return address shall be refused and returned to the U.S. Postal Service or, where applicable, to the United Parcel Service (UPS). The placement of the return address for international mail shall be in accordance with the sending country's postal regulations.

(2) Incoming mail must be written with pen or pencil, or be typewritten or photocopied.

(3) Transfers:

(a) Incoming mail to inmates not residing in the receiving facility will be forwarded to the inmate if he/she resides at another Department of Corrections facility;

(b) Incoming mail for inmates temporarily transferred to another criminal justice agency will be held at the facility for seven consecutive days. If the inmate does not return to the facility within seven days, the facility will forward to the agency all accumulated and subsequent mail received at the facility.

(4) Mail received for an inmate who has been released, discharged, or has escaped shall be refused and returned to the U.S. Postal Service or, where applicable, to the United Parcel Service (UPS).

(5) New books, magazines, and newspapers shall only be received directly from the publisher.

(6) Central Administration Review of Publications:

(a) If facility mailroom staff determine a publication contains material that is prohibited under these or other Department of Corrections administrative rules, the material shall be faxed, together with the proposed Publication Violation Notice (CD 618c), to the designated Central Administration official for review prior to accepting or rejecting the publication. The reviewing official shall not take part in any subsequent administrative review of the rejection of a publication under OAR 291-131-0050(3);

(b) If, after reviewing the material and proposed Publication Violation Notice, the designated Central Administration official agrees with mailroom staff that the publication contains material that is prohibited under these or other Department of Corrections administrative rules, the official shall direct all Department of Corrections facility mailroom staff to reject the publication in their respective facilities. If the official determines the publication does not contain prohibited material, the official will direct facility mailroom staff to accept the publication for delivery to inmates in the facility;

(c) Facility mailroom staff shall stamp approval of all accepted books, magazines and other publications on the front or inside front cover of the publication, together with the inmate's name, SID number, date accepted, and the staff's authorization signature. Books and magazines without the completed stamp on the front or inside the front cover shall be unauthorized and considered contraband.

(7) Packages, except new books, magazines, and newspapers received directly from the publisher, shall require prior authorization from the functional unit manager or designee. Inmates shall not be authorized to receive a package from another inmate.

(8) Mail shall be sent by express mail, priority mail, first class mail or periodicals mail (available for authorized periodical publications only). All other forms of U.S. Postal Service mail shall be prohibited.

(9) Unauthorized Attachments and/or Enclosures:

(a) With the exception of the canceled postage stamp, address label, and return address stamp (if used) attached to the front of an envelope or package, no item shall be glued, taped or otherwise affixed to an envelope or package, or its contents;

(b) With the exception of written correspondence, newspaper and magazine clippings, small pamphlets, photocopies, carbon copies, hand-made drawings and photographs, no item shall be enclosed in the envelope;

(A) Small pamphlets, photocopies, carbon copies and hand-made drawings shall not exceed ten pages for each category;

(B) Newspaper and magazine clippings and photographs shall not exceed ten items for each category.

(10) Legal and official mail received directly from the original source shall be authorized up to three inches thick. Legal and official mail in excess of three inches shall require prior approval from the functional unit manager or designee.


The official copy of an Oregon Administrative Rule is contained in the Administrative Order filed at the:
Archives Division,
800 Summer St. NE,
Salem, Oregon 97310.

Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Offender Mail System

The families and friends of offenders are encouraged to correspond by mail. Letters sent to offenders should include the offender's name, TDCJ number, and unit/facility address on the envelope.

All mail addressed to offenders must be received through authorized channels; letters for different offenders should not be included in the same envelope. There is no limit on the number of persons with whom an offender may correspond.

Mail is forwarded to offenders who transfer from one facility to another within TDCJ, and letters will be forwarded to offenders who are released from prison, if the offender provides a forwarding address to his last unit of assignment.

Offenders may not correspond with minors whose parents object, with the exception of an offender's own children or stepchildren. Individuals may not mail packages to offenders. Unauthorized materials or contraband found in mail addressed to offenders will be rejected.

Individuals who commit serious violations of the correspondence rules may be disallowed further correspondence with an offender.

Newspapers, magazines, and books may be mailed directly to offenders only by the publisher, publication supplier or bookstore.

Stationery (defined as paper, unstamped envelopes, carbon paper, but excluding paper or envelopes with names, addresses or letterhead) may be mailed to offenders only from legitimate vendors or suppliers of stationery.

Items such as food, clothing, jewelry, and toiletries may not be mailed to offenders.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Address mail the inmate's name and prison identification number and include the address of the prison which they are assigned to.

  Correspondence must bear the name and full address of the sender on the outside of the envelope/package.Nick-names and aliases will not be accepted as the name of a sender.  Inmates are allowed to receive letters and postcards via mail. Business/payroll checks, cashier's checks or money orders can also be sent in to an inmate for deposit into their inmate bank account. Do not send cash.  It will be rejected.

Inmates can also approved books and magazines, but only directly from the publisher.

  Inmates cannot receive any correspondence from any other inmate housed in a penal or correctional facility (federal, state, county or contract facility) unless the other inmate is an immediate family member. The Deputy Warden or their designee must authorize correspondence between immediate family members.

Items that inmates are not allowed to receive include:

*Any contraband (items not allowed in prison);
*Instructions for the manufacture or use of a weapon, explosive, drugs, drug paraphernalia or alcoholic beverages;
*Items that advocate violence or may cause violence or other serious disruption of the security and disciplined operation of the institution;
*Materials that illustrate, explain, describe or teach the ability to manipulate a locking device or restraint device;
*Materials which indicate gang activity;
*Materials depicting nudity or encouraging sexual behavior that is criminal in nature or detrimental to an inmate's rehabilitation;
*Threats, blackmail, extortion or similar violations of postal regulations.

Other items you cannot send in to inmates include postage stamps, envelopes, stamped envelopes, stickers, maps, calendars, Polaroid photos, homemade cards or envelopes, musical cards, homemade craft items, and food.  Inmates are limited to receiving no more than four small newspaper clippings and no more than four sheets of extra paper unrelated to the correspondence itself (such as drawings, poems, music, etc.).

   Free advertising materials, fliers, non-subscription third class/bulk rate mail, free catalogs or pamphlets will also not be delivered to inmates.

Is incoming and outgoing mail searched?

Yes. Outgoing general correspondence from an inmate may be inspected and read, unless it is Privileged/Legal correspondence (clearly identified on the envelope or package as meant for an attorney, judge, officer of the court, an organization or entity known to provide legal services to inmates or to governmental officials or agencies which identify the mail as personal or privileged).

Incoming correspondence will be opened and inspected by staff and may be read by staff.  Privileged/Legal correspondence is opened in the presence of the inmate and inspected for contraband. It is not read by staff.

   Correspondence that is believed to be in violation of criminal law, a Prohibited Act, DOC Policy, facility Operations Memorandum may be confiscated and used as evidence during the disciplinary process.

  How does an inmate get paper, stamps and envelopes to send letters?

Inmates have access to those items through the prison commissary.They must purchase these items through the prison commissary.

How do I know a letter I receive is from an inmate?

All outgoing correspondence must bear the inmate's name and ID number as a return address. Nick-names and aliases are not accepted as the name of a sender.

  What happens to mail that is sent to an inmate and not delivered to them before they are released/transferred?

First class mail may be forwarded to released inmates, provided a forwarding address is available.Mail that cannot be forwarded will be returned to sender, if the sender is known. Acceptable correspondence will be forwarded to inmates who have transferred to other facilities.

IRONHOUSE DRUMS