What Happens to Mail Sent to Dixon Correctional Center — Scanning, Tablets, Photos, and Publications
You can still send mail to someone at Dixon, but what they receive might look different than what you sent. Here's how IDOC processes letters, photos, and publications—and how your loved one actually views them.
IDOC now scans or photocopies all incoming non-privileged mail at Dixon Correctional Center. General letters go through a digitizing step before reaching your loved one.
Mailroom staff scan both sides of the envelope and everything inside - letters, greeting cards, photos, all of it. The scans are in color, so your loved one sees the full image of what you sent.
Once scanned, your mail becomes a PDF. It's uploaded to your loved one's Bulletin Board, and they get a notification to download and view it on their IDOC tablet.
Good to know: If an individual doesn’t have access to a tablet for any reason, Dixon will provide paper photocopies of their mail instead.
There's no charge for this. You don't pay extra for the scanning, and neither does your loved one. Just keep writing like you normally would.
Legal and privileged mail works differently. IDOC won't copy, scan, or reproduce it - those letters are handled separately from general correspondence.
Photos can be an exception. If original photographs come directly from a photo printing vendor (with the vendor's watermark or logo visible), they'll be delivered to your loved one - unless the photos are otherwise unauthorized.
Publications follow their own rules. Starting September 30, 2025, they'll only be accepted if mailed directly from a publisher. IDOC defines "publisher" broadly: publishers, bookstores, distributors, religious organizations, educational institutions, and government units all qualify.
After September 30, 2025, books, magazines, newspapers, and other publications must ship directly from the publisher to be accepted. Visitors also won't be able to drop off publications at Dixon after that date. Plan ahead if you're trying to get reading material in.
- ✓ Book publishers
- ✓ Book clubs
- ✓ Bookstores
- ✓ Other book, magazine, or newspaper distributors
- ✓ Online retailers (for example, Amazon or Walmart)
- ✓ Religious organizations or ministries
- ✓ Educational institutions
- ✓ Units of government conducting mail-order business or otherwise delivering publications to readers
Some program-related exceptions exist. Materials for programs under the Office of Adult Education and Vocational Services, other approved programs, the facility library, or religious programs may be exempt from the publisher-only rule.
Send mail to Dixon Correctional Center at: 2600 N. Brinton Avenue, Dixon, IL 61021.
- ✓ Put the individual’s full name on the envelope.
- ✓ Include the individual’s IDOC number.
- ✓ Address it to Dixon Correctional Center at 2600 N. Brinton Avenue, Dixon, IL 61021.
- Find the document number - the scanned mail item has a handwritten document number.
- Fill out a DOC 028 - use the “Individual in Custody Request Form (DOC 028).”
- Write “Mail Print Request” - list that as the reason/request on the form.
- Include the document number - add the document number for the specific piece of mail you want printed.
- Submit the request - once it’s turned in, the individual is requesting that specific scanned piece be printed.
Even if your loved one prefers paper, the scanning doesn't cost anything. IDOC's policy is clear: no fees for sending or receiving electronic mail scans.
Tip: Since non-privileged mail is scanned and/or photocopied as part of IDOC’s process, consider keeping your original at home and sending a copy if you’re mailing something you can’t replace.
Sending books or magazines? Make sure the order ships directly from a source that qualifies under IDOC's definition - publishers, bookstores, distributors, online retailers, religious organizations, educational institutions, or government units. After September 30, 2025, that's what determines whether a publication gets accepted.
Questions about mail at Dixon? Call (815) 288-5561 or fax (815) 288-9713.
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