Sending and Receiving Prisoner Mail

Prisoners may correspond with anyone unless such correspondence jeopardizes the safety of a person, a prisoner's rehabilitation, or the security of the institution. Therefore, prisoners may not correspond with their victims, persons they are court ordered not to contact, and people under the age of 16 to whom they are not related.

Prisoners may receive through the mail correspondence, photos, money orders, cashier's checks, and certified checks for $500 or less. Family and friends may not mail other items. Magazines, paperback books, and newspapers may be sent in by subscription or from an approved vendor.

All mail, unless it is considered "Privileged Mail," will be opened outside the presence of the prisoner and inspected for contraband. If it appears to contain information that is prohibited, it will be read for content and the prisoner will be provided written notification that the mail was read unless notice would hamper an investigation of criminal activity referred to in the communication.

Prohibited Mail

Prohibited Mail is any mail that:

• Contains plans or threats of physical harm or other criminal activity;
• Contains contraband, plans for sending contraband into or out of the institution, or indicates other activities prohibited under 22 AAC 05.400, Prohibited Conduct For Prisoners;
• Is written in a code that the reader cannot understand;
• Solicits gifts, money, credit, or contractual purchases without the approval of the Superintendent or designee;
• Contains information that, if communicated, would create a risk of mental or physical harm to a person;
• Contains material that could reasonably be expected to aid an escape, or incite or encourage any form of violence; or
• Contains audio or video tapes, CDs, etc.