Electronic Messages vs. Physical Mail at El Dorado County Jails: Cost, Speed, and Screening

You'll need an account on the NCIC Inmate Communications website to use the jail's messaging services. Once you're set up, you can send messages and other approved content to your loved one through their system.

• ✓ Incoming electronic message (paid by the public): $0.25 per message
• ✓ Picture message / document attachment: $0.35 each

Electronic messaging is the fastest option. Messages arrive instantly - unless they're flagged for review. If you need to get a quick update to someone without waiting on the mail, this is the way to go.

Postal mail works differently than you might expect. Letters sent to PO BOX 591, Longview, Texas 75606 go through a central scanning facility for electronic delivery to the inmate. The originals aren't returned and may be destroyed after processing. There are strict formatting rules: mail can't exceed 8.5 x 11 inches or 5 pages, and only the front of each page gets scanned - anything on the back won't be delivered. Photos are limited too. Inmates can receive one photo per mailing. Include more than one, and the entire letter gets returned to you undelivered.

Electronic messages move fast, but some still get delayed. If a message triggers the security keyword filter, it goes into "pending approval" status until classification staff can review it. They'll either approve it for delivery or deny it based on the content.

Sending legal or medical mail? Don't use the PO Box processing address. Legal and medical correspondence must go directly to the El Dorado County Jail facility where the inmate is housed.

• ✓ Magazines (sent to PO BOX 591): returned to sender; mail to the facility where the inmate is housed
• ✓ Bulk mailings (sent to PO BOX 591): returned to sender; mail to the facility where the inmate is housed
• ✓ Newspapers (sent to PO BOX 591): returned to sender; mail to the facility where the inmate is housed
• ✓ Money (sent to PO BOX 591): returned to sender; mail to the facility where the inmate is housed
• ✓ Books (sent to PO BOX 591): returned to sender; mail to the facility where the inmate is housed

1. Use electronic messaging for time-sensitive notes - incoming electronic messages are delivered instantly, and the cost is $0.25 per message.
2. Add photos or documents only when you really need to - attachments cost $0.35 each, so sending a quick text-style message is the cheapest option.
3. Use the PO Box process only when you’re okay with scanned delivery - mail sent to PO BOX 591 is scanned for electronic delivery, and the original will not be returned and may be destroyed.