Illinois

How to contact an inmate at Big Muddy River Correctional

Last Updated on May 21, 2023

A friendly help guide for Big Muddy River Correctional. Learn how to find an inmate and send letters, photos, and more.

How to contact an inmate at Big Muddy River Correctional

This help guide will walk you through how to connect with an inmate. Follow the steps below to find an inmate and send letters and photos:

  1. How to find an inmate online
  2. How to message an inmate
  3. Sending photos and postcards
  4. Frequently asked questions about Big Muddy River Correctional
  5. Overview of Big Muddy River Correctional
  6. Inmate services at Big Muddy River Correctional

Here's a short video on how to contact an inmate at Big Muddy River Correctional:

How to message an inmate

How to message an inmate at Big Muddy River Correctional

You can use your phone or computer to send emails letters, and photos to an inmate. Messages are sent electronically to inmate tablets or kiosks at the facility. If you would like to send an message, start by searching for an inmate at Big Muddy River Correctional .

Sending Photos and Postcards

How to send photos and postcards to Big Muddy River Correctional

A great way to send love and support to loved one at Big Muddy River Correctional is to send photos and postcards. It only takes a few minutes to send photos from your phone and it makes a huge difference. You can also mail postcards with words of support and inspiration, or design your own postcard for special moments like birthdays and holidays.

Important! Be sure not to send any explicit photos or they may not be approved by the facility. You can also use a photo printing app like Penmate to make sure your photos are printed at the correct size (4x6 or 3x5) and are mailed according to the rules and regulations of Big Muddy River Correctional.

Frequently asked questions about Big Muddy River Correctional

  1. How long does it take to deliver a message?

    If you're sending an email message your letter is usually delivered within 24-48 hours. For messages sent via mail you should expect delivery within 3-7 days. All messages will need be approved by Big Muddy River Correctional.

  2. How much does it cost to send a message to Big Muddy River Correctional?

    You can send a message free using your phone or mail a message via USPS for the price of a $0.60 stamp and envelope. You can also purchase credits or e-stamps from services starting at $1.99.

  3. What services can I use to contact an inmate at Big Muddy River Correctional?
    Penmate

    You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's a easy way to stay in touch during your loved one's incarceration. Use the inmate locator to find an inmate's location and contact information, then you can send messages within a few minutes.

    Securus messaging

    Securus may be another option for communicating with an inmate at Big Muddy River Correctional. You can create a friends and family account and purchase credits to send messages. All messages will be reviewed and must be approved by the facility.

    JPay

    Some county jails and state prisons may support for sending messages with JPay. You must register an account with the system, find your loved one, and purchase stamps to send messages. For some locations you can also attach photos.

    Smart Jail Mail

    You may also check if Smart Jail Mail is available at Big Muddy River Correctional. Smart Jail Mail is operated by Smart Communications and has contracted with some state and county jails. After purchasing credits, your messages and photos are sent to the facility, printed out, and then handed out to your loved one.

  4. What is the mailing address of Big Muddy River Correctional?
    Mailing address:

    Big Muddy River Correctional
    251 IL-37
    Ina , IL 62846
    (618) 437-5300

    Business hours:
    • Monday: Open 24 hours
    • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
    • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
    • Thursday: Open 24 hours
    • Friday: Open 24 hours
    • Saturday: Open 24 hours
    • Sunday: Open 24 hours

Overview of Big Muddy River Correctional

Big Muddy River Correctional Center is a maximum-security prison situated in Illinois, United States. The prison is designed to house male offenders, and its primary goal is to ensure public safety by detaining high-risk offenders. The unique physical and social characteristics of Big Muddy River Correctional Center distinguish it from other prisons across the country.

The facility accommodates more than 2200 inmates, making it one of the largest maximum-security prisons in Illinois. Inmates at Big Muddy River Correctional have committed severe offenses and are often sent to the facility for extended periods, ranging from decades to life. The offenders at the center live in self-contained buildings, including multiple recreation areas, classrooms, religious areas, and medical facilities. As part of its security protocol, the corrections officers implement regular facility-wide lockdowns, inmate headcounts, and cell searches to prevent contraband from entering and leaving the facility.

Big Muddy River Correctional has been the subject of public criticism due to a lack of adequate mental health treatments for the inmates. The prison starts by endorsing care, therapy, and treatment for inmates with specific health disorders. Besides, it routinely employs social work professionals to help inmates resolve their emotional, behavioral, and psychological problems. With these and more initiatives, Big Muddy River Correctional provides support to inmates and contributes to developing well-adjusted and responsible citizens while curbing further offenses.

What services are provided by Big Muddy River Correctional?

Big Muddy River Correctional is a medium-security level prison for adult males located in southern Illinois. It aims to rehabilitate its prisoners and make sure that they can reintegrate into society as productive citizens. To aid this goal, Big Muddy River Correctional provides a number of programs and services that focus on skill-building for employability, education, and mental and physical health.

For employability, Big Muddy River Correctional offers Vocational and Apprenticeship programs in six different-building trades like Culinary Arts, HVAC, Masonry, Plumbing, Carpentry, and Electrical Maintenance. The offenders learn through hands-on training and even receive nationally recognized certifications that can help them succeed in their future employment opportunities.

In terms of education, the Illinois Department of Prisons offers programs that promote literacy like Adult Basic Education classes where the learners can earn their GED or Prepare for College-level coursework. Additionally, Big Muddy River Correctional also has a Computer Learning Center that can provide the inmates with access to a vast library of programs from which they can select for individual career development.

The correctional facility also provides counseling and support programs that aid in the growth of physical and mental health. One such program is the “fathers first” initiative, designed to promote healthy communication between incarcerated fathers and their children, helping the children of Offenders to adjust, cope and develop positive relationships with their incarcerated parents.

Overall, the goal of Big Muddy River Correctional is to provide programs and services that help the incarcerated individuals to overcome addiction, develop job readiness, and improve mental and physical health. These services aim to assist men in transforming their lives, by providing them with the necessary skills that will result in their successful re-entry into their communities after serving their sentence.