Sending Mail to Joliet Treatment Center: What Gets Scanned, How It’s Delivered, and What to Expect
Mail going into Joliet Treatment Center works differently than it used to. IDOC now scans (and/or photocopies) incoming non-privileged mail, so what your loved one actually receives is a digital copy, not the original paper you sent.
IDOC began scanning and/or photocopying incoming non-privileged mail effective immediately. If you're sending letters to someone at Joliet Treatment Center, your mail goes through this statewide process before it reaches them.
What Scanned
- ✓ Written correspondence (letters)
- ✓ Greeting cards
- ✓ Drawings
- ✓ Photos (these items are scanned in color, including the front and back of the envelope)
- ✓ Original photos mailed directly from a photo printing vendor (with the vendor watermark/logo) are delivered to the recipient in their original form, unless the photos are otherwise unauthorized
- ✓ Privileged and legal mail (not scanned or photocopied)
- ✓ Publications: visitors may no longer drop off publications at facilities, and starting September 30, 2025, publications are only accepted if mailed directly from publishers
Mailroom staff scan the front and back of the envelope and every item inside (letters, greeting cards, photographs) in color. Those scans are saved as PDFs and uploaded to your loved one's Bulletin Board. They'll get a tablet notification letting them know new scanned documents are ready to download and view.
No tablet access? If your loved one doesn't have access to a tablet for any reason, they'll receive paper photocopies of their mail instead.
- Fill out DOC 028 - Your loved one can submit an “Individual In Custody Request Form (DOC 028)” and write “Mail Print Request.”
- Include the document number - They must provide the document number for the specific piece of mail they want printed (the number is handwritten on the document).
- Check the beginning of the number - The document number starts with the individual’s IDOC number.
There is no cost to you or your loved one for electronic mail scanning.
Keep originals at home. IDOC cannot return original mail documents to the sender after scanning. If you're sending something you might want back, mail a copy and keep the original safe.
- ✓ Keep mailing to Joliet Treatment Center as you normally would
- ✓ Put the individual’s IDOC number near their name on the envelope
- ✓ Write the individual’s IDOC number on each page, photo, or other item you include to help with prompt processing
Privileged and legal mail follows a different process. IDOC states that privileged and legal mail will not be scanned or photocopied.
If you're sending something that qualifies as privileged or legal mail, make sure it's clearly marked and categorized that way from the start. Because this mail is excluded from scanning and photocopying, the handling rules differ from what applies to everyday letters and cards.
Find an Inmate at Joliet Treatment Center, IL
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
