Penmate Inmate Support Guides
dakota-mail-what-gets-scanned-originals

Before you mail: what gets scanned for Dakota Unit, how originals are handled, and how to get them back

• 2 min read • corrections.az.gov
Before you mail: what gets scanned for Dakota Unit, how originals are handled, and how to get them back

Dakota Unit's digital mail system scans a specific list of items: letters, greeting cards, kid artwork and drawings, and photos. That's it. If you're considering sending something outside that list, don't - it won't be scanned. When in doubt, stick to written correspondence.

Not everything goes through the digital mail system. Legal mail, packages, official government documents (like checks), and publications all follow separate handling and addressing rules.

Once your mail is scanned, the original doesn't stick around indefinitely. The ADCRR contracted provider holds it for 90 days, then professionally disposes of it.

How Get Originals Returned

Before you mail: what gets scanned for Dakota Unit, how originals are handled, and how to get them back

Addressing Checklist

  • ✓ Write the inmate’s full first and last name on the envelope
  • ✓ Add the inmate’s ADCRR number
  • ✓ Include the prison complex and assigned unit
  • ✓ Use the Digital Processing Center address starting December 15, 2025: PO Box 211309, Dallas, TX 75211 (addressed to Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry)

Return risk: If the envelope is missing the inmate number, full name, or the correct address, the mail will be returned to the sender.

There's no limit on how much personal mail you can send. Letters, cards, drawings, photos - send as many as you'd like. Everything gets scanned and uploaded to the inmate's tablet or an electronic kiosk.

Don't expect same-day delivery. Securus, ADCRR's contracted partner, aims to process, scan, and make mail digitally available within 3 business days of receiving it.

No tablet? No problem. If an inmate doesn't have one - or if it breaks - ADCRR provides access through digital kiosks. They can also print the mail in black and white so the inmate can still read it.

Find an Inmate at ASPC-Y DAKOTA II

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from ASPC-Y DAKOTA II

dakota-visitation-fee-how-to-pay

Applying for Visits at ASPC‑Y Dakota: The $25 Background Fee, Phone‑Only Exception, and Which Vendor Costs Least

Applying to visit someone at ASPC‑Y Dakota? Budget for a one-time, non-refundable $25 background check fee per adult visitor. This fee applies to both in-person visits and phone privileges. One exception: if you only want to receive phone calls from an inmate (not initiate them), you can skip the $25 fee. You'll still need to complete the phone privileges application, though.

dakota-apply-timing-checklist

Before You Apply for Visits at ASPC‑Y Dakota: Timing, Deadlines, and Common Pitfalls

Timing matters if your loved one just entered the system or was recently transferred. ADCRR won't process visitation applications while an inmate is going through intake at Alhambra or Perryville. Before you submit anything, confirm where they're currently housed - especially if their status is still in flux.

dakota-visitation-application-steps

How to apply for visitation or phone privileges at ASPC‑Y Dakota Unit

Getting approved at ASPC‑Y Dakota Unit starts with one step: submit the Application to Visit an Inmate electronically. Most delays come from missing fields, missing documents, or missing payment.