The Complete Mail Checklist for Jackson County Detention Center: What You Can and Can't Send
Most rejected mail comes down to a few preventable mistakes. Use this checklist to make sure your letters, photos, and books meet Jackson County Detention Center's rules so your loved one actually receives them.
Every piece of mail needs the basics. Jackson County Detention Center requires the full name and complete address for both the sender and the recipient. If either is missing or incomplete, your mail could be delayed or rejected. Proper postage matters too. Don't assume the post office will sort it out if your envelope is heavier than usual because of extra pages or photos. Weigh it, stamp it correctly, and send it.
Note: Do not include coded messages or coded phrases. Anything that looks like a code will be treated as prohibited content and won't be delivered.
If you’re writing by hand, stick to blue or black ink only. That includes the body of the letter and anything you write on the envelope.
Typing your letter? Print it in black ink or black toner. Keep it simple and readable. Anything outside the allowed ink colors can get your letter rejected.
Note: Do not use colored paper. Stick to plain white paper to avoid having your letter refused.
Photos are allowed, but the limits are strict. Jackson County Detention Center allows no more than three photographs per mailing, and each one must be 4" x 6" or smaller. Want to share more? Spread them across multiple letters, keeping each envelope within the three-photo limit.
Format matters here. Photos must be printed on actual photo paper. Computer-printed photographs are not allowed. So even if the image looks great, printing it at home on regular paper will get it rejected. Stick with real photo prints on photo paper, 4" x 6" or smaller.
Note: Photos cannot be pornographic, show a criminal act, or include anything the facility considers contrary to its penological interest.
Prohibited Common Rejects
- ✓ Any marks made with markers or colors (including drawings, stickers, and coloring pages)
- ✓ Greeting cards (birthday cards, holiday cards, etc.)
- ✓ Bubble wrap, staples, paper clips, pamphlets, or sticky notes
- ✓ Stamps, blank paper, or envelopes included inside the mailing
Most rejections happen when a well-meaning extra gets flagged as a problem. Anything that could hide contraband, be altered, or pose a security concern is likely getting refused. That's why stickers, greeting cards, and loose extras are common deal-breakers. Keep it simple: plain paper, clean pages, nothing extra tucked inside. If you're including photos, follow the photo rules and place them loose in the envelope. No staples, clips, or sticky notes.
Books follow their own set of rules. Jackson County Detention Center only accepts books sent directly from a publishing company, and they must be paperback. Hardback books are not allowed. Buying a book yourself and mailing it in? That will likely get rejected. Order a paperback so it ships straight from the publisher to the facility.
Do not mail cash or money orders. Jackson County Detention Center does not accept money or money orders through the mail.
If Administration considers something you sent inappropriate or unacceptable, it gets returned to you. Keeping your mail plain and within the rules is the simplest way to avoid delays.
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