What NOT to Mail to the Phoenix Address: Money Orders, Legal Mail, and Other Exceptions at HRRJ

Quick Checklist

• ✓ Checks (do not mail checks to the Phoenix, MD scanning P.O. Box)
• ✓ Money orders (do not mail money orders to the Phoenix, MD scanning P.O. Box)
• ✓ Attorney-client privileged mail (do not mail legal/privileged mail to the Phoenix, MD scanning P.O. Box)

The Phoenix, MD P.O. Box handles personal mail that gets scanned and delivered digitally to inmate tablets through the "Facility Messages" app. That scanning workflow works for letters, pictures, and drawings. It's not designed for payments or confidential legal correspondence. Checks, money orders, and attorney-client privileged mail require different handling, so HRRJ asks you to follow the facility's separate procedures for those items rather than sending them to the Phoenix address.

HRRJ's notice is clear about what not to send to the Phoenix scanning address, but it doesn't publish an alternate mailing address for checks, money orders, or attorney-client privileged mail in the same guidance. For those items, you'll need to follow HRRJ's existing facility guidelines. Sending something time-sensitive like legal mail or a payment? Verify the correct destination and process with the jail before you drop it in the mailbox.

1. Confirm the category of what you are mailing. Personal letters/photos/drawings follow the scanning process, but checks, money orders, and attorney-client privileged mail do not.
2. Ask HRRJ for the correct procedure for payments or legal mail. The facility’s notice says those items must follow separate guidelines, not the Phoenix scanning address.
3. Double-check the addressing details before sealing the envelope. For personal mail sent through scanning, include the complete facility name (no abbreviations) and state, the inmate’s full name and identifier, and your full name and physical address.

Already mailed something to an older address? HRRJ's notice says mail sent to the old address will be returned to sender starting Nov 1. The notice also states the personal-mail address change is effective immediately. If you're unsure whether your item went to the wrong place, treat it as urgent. Confirm next steps quickly so you can resend it correctly.

1. Write down exactly what you plan to send. “Money order,” “cashier’s check,” or “attorney-client privileged mail” matters because HRRJ treats these differently from personal mail.
2. Contact HRRJ and ask where that specific item should be mailed. The facility notice says checks/money orders and attorney-client privileged mail should not go to the Phoenix, MD scanning address.
3. Confirm what identifiers must be on the envelope. For personal mail routed through scanning, HRRJ requires the complete facility name (no abbreviations) and state, the inmate’s full name and identifier, plus your full name and physical address.
4. Get the instructions in writing if you can. Even a short note you save for yourself (who you spoke with, date/time, and what they told you) helps if something is delayed or returned.

The personal-mail address change is already in effect, so using old instructions can lead to delays or returned mail. HRRJ also states it can modify policies and procedures at any time. Your safest move: verify the current process whenever you're sending anything sensitive, expensive, or deadline-driven.