Sending Mail and Publications to People at Illinois River: New Scanning and Publisher Rules
Mail at Illinois River Correctional Center works differently now. Non-privileged mail gets scanned and/or photocopied before delivery. And starting September 30, 2025, publications must come directly from the publisher.
IDOC facilities, including Illinois River, now scan and/or photocopy incoming non-privileged mail. Letters and cards you send go through this processing system - they won't arrive exactly as you mailed them.
Good to know: There’s no cost to you or your loved one for electronic mail scanning.
Privileged and legal mail is handled differently - it won't be scanned or photocopied.
Once scanned mail is ready, your loved one gets a notification on their tablet. They can download and view the documents from there.
If your loved one doesn’t have access to a tablet for any reason, they’ll receive paper photocopies of their mail instead.
- Find the document number - the specific piece of scanned mail has a document number handwritten on it, and it begins with the individual’s IDOC number.
- Fill out a DOC 028 request - the individual submits an “Individual In Custody Request Form (DOC 028)” and includes that document number to request a printed copy.
Addressing Tips
- ✓ Put the individual’s IDOC number near their name on the envelope.
- ✓ Write the individual’s IDOC number on each page and on each photo you send to help with prompt processing.
Starting September 30, 2025, publications will only be accepted if mailed directly from the publisher. Want to send a book, magazine, or newspaper? It needs to come straight from the publisher - not from you personally.
After September 30, 2025, visitors can no longer drop off books, magazines, or other publications at any IDOC facility. If you've been bringing reading material in person, you'll need to switch to publisher-direct mailing.
- ✓ Materials received for programs under the Office of Adult Education and Vocational Services
- ✓ Materials received for the facility library
- ✓ Materials received for religious programs
- ✓ Materials received for other approved programs
Photos are an exception. Original photographs mailed directly from a photo-printing vendor - with the vendor's watermark or logo - will be delivered in their original form, unless the photos are otherwise unauthorized. This includes photos you purchase that the vendor prints and mails for you.
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