How Elkhart County Jail's Mail System Works — why most letters go to Jonesboro, AR
Elkhart County Jail runs a two-track mail system. Personal mail goes to a PO Box in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where it's scanned and delivered electronically. Legal mail goes directly to the jail in Elkhart. Getting the address right—and labeling your envelope correctly—makes the difference between mail that arrives and mail that gets delayed, misdirected, or rejected.
Most letters for someone at Elkhart County Jail don't go to Indiana anymore. Personal mail gets sent to a PO Box in Jonesboro, AR, where a scanning vendor processes it and delivers it electronically - inmates read it on kiosks or tablets. Legal mail is handled differently: attorney-client correspondence still goes directly to the Elkhart County Corrections Center, bypassing the scanning process entirely.
- ✓ Use the Jonesboro, AR PO Box for non-legal/personal mail.
- ✓ Use the Elkhart County Corrections Center address for legal (attorney-client privileged) mail.
For personal letters (anything that isn't attorney-client privileged), address your envelope to the Jonesboro PO Box like this, including the inmate's name and ID: Elkhart County Jail Inmate Name/Inmate ID, PO Box 16367, Jonesboro, AR 72401. That name-and-ID line is critical. If it's missing or unclear, your mail could be delayed or sent to the wrong person.
- ✓ Inmate’s full name
- ✓ Inmate’s jail ID number (clearly printed)
- ✓ Your full return name and full return address
When your letter reaches the Jonesboro PO Box, a mail scanning vendor opens and processes it. Your loved one won't receive the paper letter - they'll view the contents electronically on a kiosk or tablet. That's why the mailing address is in Arkansas. It's not a typo; it's part of the facility's scanning-and-delivery system.
Note: After non-legal mail is scanned, the original paper is destroyed. Keep a copy of anything you might need later.
Legal mail - anything that's attorney-client privileged - should not go to the Jonesboro PO Box. Send it directly to the facility: Elkhart County Corrections Center, 26861 C.R. 26, Elkhart, IN 46517. This ensures the jail handles it directly instead of routing it through the scanning process.
Note: If you’re sending attorney-client privileged mail, use the facility address in Elkhart (not the Jonesboro PO Box) so it’s treated as legal mail.
Labeling Common Mistakes
- ✓ Write or print the inmate’s name clearly on the outside of the envelope or postcard.
- ✓ Write or print the inmate’s jail ID number clearly on the outside of the envelope or postcard.
- ✓ Include your full return name and full return address.
The most common reason mail goes missing? Labeling. If the inmate's name and ID number aren't clearly written, mail can get lost or sent to the wrong person. Your return address matters too - without a full name and address on your side of the envelope, the letter may be rejected outright instead of returned for correction. Another frequent mistake is sending more than the jail accepts. At Elkhart County Jail, letters are the only acceptable mail item. Stick to a straightforward letter, properly addressed and labeled, and it has the best chance of getting through.
Need something to arrive faster than traditional mail? Elkhart County Jail allows electronic correspondence through JailATM, including picture attachments. Double-check that you're using the correct inmate ID number - getting the name and ID right is what routes your message to the right person.
Tip: Before you send a message or photo through JailATM (or mail a letter), confirm the inmate’s jail ID number - an incorrect ID can prevent delivery.
Plan for delays around no-processing days. Elkhart County Jail doesn't handle mail on Sundays, holidays, or during facility emergencies. Even correctly addressed mail may sit longer during these periods.
Find an Inmate at Elkhart County Jail, IN
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
