Forsyth County Detention Center: How Mail Is Scanned, What You Can Send, Legal Mail, and Post‑Release Copies

Forsyth County uses a mail-scan system for regular (non-legal) mail. Your letter goes to a processing center, gets scanned, and is delivered electronically to the inmate's tablet - the physical paper never reaches them. The facility ID for Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center NC is 5067. Include this on your envelope so your mail routes correctly.

Addressing

• ✓ Include the facility name on the envelope
• ✓ Include the inmate’s name
• ✓ Include the inmate’s identification number
• ✓ Include the facility ID (installation ID) - 5067

Content Rules

• ✓ Keep it to 10 pages or fewer per envelope
• ✓ Use paper no larger than 8.5" x 11"

For non-legal mail, keep it simple and flat - items that scan cleanly. Written or typed pages, photos, drawings, and greeting cards all work. Photos are fine, but no Polaroids.

• ✓ Do not include glitter, glue, adhesive tape, 3D items, or anything with electronic components (like lights, music, or animation)
• ✓ Do not send magazines, books, mail-order packages, or publications of any kind to the mail processing center
• ✓ Do not send original important documents or photos (birth certificates, driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, green cards, etc.) - they will not be returned
• ✓ Do not send cash, personal checks, or money orders to the mail processing center

Legal mail and publications don't go through the scanning center. Send legal mail directly to the facility, mark the envelope "Correo Legal," and it will be opened in the inmate's presence. Publications also go straight to the facility, but they must come directly from an approved publisher or distributor - otherwise they won't be accepted.

Address legal mail to: Inmate full name Enforcement Detention Center 201 Church Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Mail flagged for illegal content or security violations can be turned over to authorities for investigation. Keep things straightforward and follow the rules - it protects both you and your loved one.

Once your non-legal mail clears the requirements, it's scanned and delivered electronically. The inmate reads it on their tablet. The physical letter is destroyed - it won't be returned. Don't send anything irreplaceable.

1. Email your request - Send an email to inmatemail@fcso.us.
2. Include the facility name - Write “Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center” in your request.
3. Provide identity details - Include the inmate’s name and inmate identification number.
4. Add the recipient email - Include the email address where you want the download information sent.
5. Watch for the download message - After the information is verified, you’ll receive an email with a link to download the scanned mail at the email address you provided.

Tips Checklist

• ✓ Put the facility name, inmate name, inmate ID, and facility ID (5067) on the envelope
• ✓ Keep letters to 10 pages or fewer, on paper no larger than 8.5" x 11"
• ✓ Send flat items only: written/typed pages, drawings, greeting cards, and photos (not Polaroids)
• ✓ Skip anything with glitter, glue, tape, 3D decorations, or electronic parts
• ✓ Don’t mail cash, personal checks, or money orders to the processing center
• ✓ Never send originals of important documents or irreplaceable photos - they won’t be returned
• ✓ Don’t send magazines, books, packages, or any publications to the mail processing center
• ✓ For legal mail, send it directly to the facility and mark the envelope “Correo Legal”