Privileged vs. General Mail in Arkansas Prisons: How Correspondence Is Handled
Arkansas prisons handle
Send Photos & Mail at East Arkansas Regional Unit
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Overview
Mail at East Arkansas Regional Unit (EARU) doesn't always reach the inmate as original paper. The facility uses kiosks and inmate tablets for services like commissary, banking, medical requests, and in-house content—some incoming correspondence may be delivered electronically through those systems instead. Privileged (legal) mail gets special treatment: it must be clearly identified as privileged, and staff open it only in the inmate's presence without reading it (though it can still be rejected for contraband). For outgoing legal mail, label the envelope "Privileged Correspondence" or "Legal Mail" to ensure proper handling. General correspondence has no set limit on letters, but staff may open, inspect, and read it, and records may be kept. Packages and books are often restricted—check the rules before sending anything.
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Quick Facts
- EARU provides kiosks and inmate tablets for commissary, banking, medical requests, and in‑house content.
- Privileged (legal) mail at EARU is opened in the inmate’s presence and is not read, though it may be rejected if it contains contraband.
- Outgoing privileged correspondence must be labeled “Privileged Correspondence” or “Legal Mail” or it will be treated as general correspondence.
- General correspondence may be opened, inspected, read, and facility records about it may be kept.
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Common Questions
How does East Arkansas Regional Unit handle privileged (legal) mail?
Privileged (legal) mail must be identified as privileged, and it’s opened only in the inmate’s presence and not read. For outgoing legal mail, label the envelope “Privileged Correspondence” or “Legal Mail” so it’s handled correctly.
Will my letter be scanned or will the inmate receive the original paper at EARU?
Your original paper letter may not reach the inmate. EARU uses kiosks and inmate tablets, so some incoming correspondence gets delivered electronically rather than as the original.
How should I address mail to an inmate at East Arkansas Regional Unit?
Use the inmate’s full name and booking or ID number, and include your complete return address so mail can be matched to the correct account. For books and packages, follow any facility-specific addressing or approved-vendor rules.
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