How IDOC Mail Works Now: Scanned Mail, Legal Mail Procedures, Packages, and Victim Contact Options

When non-privileged mail arrives, IDOC mailroom staff scan everything in color - front and back of the envelope, plus each item inside. Letters, greeting cards, photos: all of it. Those scans become PDF images uploaded to the person's Bulletin Board. Instead of receiving the original paper, they view their mail on a tablet.

After the PDFs are uploaded, the person in custody gets a notification. From there, they can download and read the new mail on their tablet.

Not Scanned Exceptions

• ✓ Publications are not scanned or photocopied.
• ✓ Official documents mailed from a government entity (including items like birth certificates and Social Security cards) are not scanned or photocopied.

Legal Privileged Mail

• ✓ Clearly mark the envelope as “privileged” or “legal”.
• ✓ Clearly include the sender’s name.
• ✓ Clearly include the sender’s title.
• ✓ Clearly include the sender’s address.

Legal or privileged mail follows different rules. Staff open it in front of the person it's addressed to - this lets them check for contraband while confirming the sender is legitimate.

Packages go through screening before reaching the facility. IDOC requires all incoming packages to be fluoroscoped or x-rayed, then opened and inspected for contraband before delivery.

1. Fill out the Mail Stop and Phone Restriction Request form - complete the form with the information needed to restrict mail and/or phone contact from an individual in IDOC custody.
2. Submit the form by email or mail - email it to DOC.VictimServices@illinois.gov, or mail it to the Victim Services Unit.
3. If you’re mailing it, address it the way the form directs - the form includes a section for mailing it to the warden of the appropriate correctional center; follow those fields exactly so it gets routed correctly.