What Happens to Your Letters Now: ADCRR’s Digital Mail System (what families should know)

Starting December 15, 2025, ADCRR is shifting incoming personal mail to a digital platform. Here's the key point: this only applies to personal mail. Legal mail, parcels, publications, and official government mail are excluded - they follow separate handling rules.

What Scanned

• ✓ Written correspondence (letters)
• ✓ Greeting cards
• ✓ Drawings
• ✓ Photos

Starting December 15, 2025, personal mail must be sent to ADCRR's Digital Mail Processing Center in Texas. There, it gets sorted, scanned, and uploaded so your loved one can view it on their secure tablet. What does "digital mail" actually mean? The original paper gets scanned at a central location and delivered electronically - either to the person's secured tablet or through an electronic kiosk. No tablet? ADCRR says they'll provide access through kiosks or print the mail in black and white.

How long does it take? ADCRR's partner Securus says they'll process, scan, and make digital mail available within 3 business days of receiving it at the processing center. Plan around that timeline when you're waiting for something to show up.

ADCRR built in a transition window if you accidentally send mail to the prison complex instead of the new address. From December 15, 2025 through January 15, 2026, improperly addressed mail will still be processed. After that grace period ends, the rules tighten. Starting January 15, 2026, mail sent directly to prison complexes will be returned to sender.

Once your letter, card, drawing, or photos are scanned, the original paper doesn't stay with your loved one. The contracted provider stores physical mail for 90 days, then professionally disposes of it.

• ✓ If you want the original physical mail returned after scanning, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your correspondence.