What You Can and Can't Mail to an Inmate at Deschutes County Jail

Here's the simplest way to think about mail at Deschutes County Jail: if an item isn't specifically approved on the jail's "What can I mail to an inmate?" list, staff treat it as contraband. Even things that seem harmless get flagged. Stick to what's explicitly allowed, and leave anything "extra" out of your envelope or package.

All mail must come through the U.S. Postal Service - no hand-delivered items, no couriers. Double-check your postage before sending. If mail arrives postage due, the jail won't accept it.

Addressing matters. Write the inmate's complete legal name (no nicknames), and include a middle name or initial if you know it. Your envelope needs your full return name and address - without one, the jail won't deliver or hold the mail. Keep the envelope clean. No stickers, no non-postal stamps, no lipstick kisses, no perfume, no drawings or writing beyond the address. For your return address, hand-write it rather than using gummed or adhesive labels - staff remove those labels before giving mail to the inmate.

You can send cards, including greeting cards, but keep them simple. No metal, plastic, or hard materials. No folds or designs that could hide contraband. Size limit: 9 by 12 inches maximum. Skip musical greeting cards - they're not allowed.

Photos are allowed, with limits. You can send up to five pictures per letter. Standard photos can be up to 4 by 6 inches; printed pages or photocopies can be up to 8.5 by 11 inches. Don't send mounted or framed pictures, and skip Polaroids.

Magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals must be new and shipped directly from the publisher or a bookstore. Content matters too - periodicals with scantily clad women may be considered sexually explicit and rejected.

Books are one of the most restricted items. Deschutes County Jail limits inmates to three books per day, and they must be ordered and shipped directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore. You can't mail books to an inmate yourself. Format requirements are strict: paperback only, up to 9 by 12 inches, no plastic or metal binding. Hardbacks are prohibited. Condition rules vary by housing status. Generally, books can be new or used - but inmates in segregation may only receive new paperbacks. If you're unsure whether someone is in segregation, go with a new paperback to avoid rejection.

Contraband Examples

• ✓ Drugs (legal or illegal)
• ✓ Over-the-counter medications
• ✓ Glasses and contact lenses
• ✓ Bookmarks
• ✓ Postage stamps
• ✓ Stationery
• ✓ Writing or drawing materials
• ✓ Paper clips
• ✓ Hardback books

These examples aren't a complete list - just common items people try to mail. The jail's baseline rule is broader: anything not specifically approved under "What can I mail to an inmate?" is treated as contraband unless staff authorize it.

Not every mail situation is handled the same way. A jail command officer can restrict who an inmate may correspond with on a case-by-case basis. Victims of the inmate's crime are also prohibited from sending mail to that inmate.

1. Call with questions - If you’re trying to figure out why something was rejected (or you want to check a specific item before you mail it), call the jail at (541) 388-6661.
2. Escalate a complaint during business hours - For complaints about inmate mail, contact a jail command officer at (541) 388-6661 during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
3. Use the complaint process - You may also complete a Complaint form regarding inmate mail.