Mailing Letters, Photos, and Books to Jackson County ADC: Rules and How to Avoid Rejection
Mail rules can feel picky, but once you know the format, it's much less stressful. Here's how to keep your mail to Jackson County ADC from getting rejected.
Start with the envelope. Include the full name and address for both you (the sender) and the incarcerated person (the recipient). One thing to know: the outer envelope won't actually reach the inmate. Staff remove it during processing, so anything written on the outside stays behind.
- ✓ Don’t include stamps, blank paper, or envelopes inside the mailing.
Photos
- ✓ Include no more than 3 photos per mailing.
- ✓ Keep photos at 4" x 6" or smaller.
Photo format matters as much as what's in the picture. Photos must be printed on actual photo paper - computer-printed photos on regular printer paper will be rejected. Stick with standard photo prints from a drugstore or photo service.
Warning: Photos that are pornographic, show a criminal act, or are otherwise considered contrary to the facility’s penological interests are prohibited.
Keep letters simple. Handwritten? Use blue or black ink. Typed? Print with black ink or black toner. It's a small detail, but it can mean the difference between delivery and a return.
- ✓ Don’t use markers or colored inks.
- ✓ Don’t include drawings.
- ✓ Don’t add stickers.
- ✓ Don’t send coloring pages.
Avoid returns: Letters with any foreign substance or stain will be rejected and returned. Mail that contains perfume, lipstick, lip gloss, or cologne will also be rejected and returned.
Greeting cards aren't allowed - no birthday cards, holiday cards, or anything similar. Want to send a message for a special occasion? Write it in a regular letter instead. The facility also reserves the right to return anything Administration considers inappropriate. If you're unsure whether something will pass (a decorative add-on, a nonstandard insert), leave it out. Plain mail is the safest bet.
Books have to come straight from the source. Jackson County ADC only accepts books sent directly from a publishing company. That means you can't mail books you already own - order through the publisher so it arrives vendor-direct.
- ✓ Send paperback books only.
- ✓ Don’t send hardback books.
Checklist
- ✓ Use photo paper for any photos (don’t send computer-printed photos).
- ✓ Check every page for stains, residue, or any foreign substance.
- ✓ Don’t spray perfume/cologne or include anything with lipstick/lip gloss.
- ✓ Keep letters free of markers, colored ink, drawings, stickers, and coloring pages.
If your mail gets returned, the fix is usually straightforward: remove the problem item or resend in a simpler format. Not sure what triggered the return? Contact the facility for clarification before mailing again.
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