What Happens to Your Mail After You Send It to Lawrence Correctional Center

When non-privileged mail arrives at Lawrence Correctional Center, mailroom staff scan the front and back of the envelope plus each item inside, all in color. That covers the things people send most often: letters, greeting cards, and photographs. The scans are converted into PDF images and uploaded to the recipient's Bulletin Board, where they can download and view everything on their tablet. Your original paper items are used to create those images, but the person in custody typically reads the digital copies through their tablet notification and Bulletin Board rather than handling the physical originals.

Publications are handled differently. Books, magazines, and other publications mailed to someone in custody are not scanned or photocopied as part of this incoming mail process.

Official documents from a government entity, such as birth certificates and Social Security cards, are also excluded from scanning and photocopying.

Photo content is one of the fastest ways to get mail rejected. Photos depicting weapons, nudity, simulated sexual acts, violence, images of the facility, or sexually explicit content are unauthorized and won't be accepted. The rules also restrict certain "who is in the photo" situations, including images of other current individuals in custody or parolees (when the photo is of someone other than the person you're writing to). If you're unsure whether an image crosses the line, pick a different photo. A single problematic picture can get the entire mailing rejected.

Always include a clear return address on the outside of your envelope. Incoming mail without a return address won't be accepted.

• ✓ Stickers
• ✓ Labels
• ✓ Clothing
• ✓ Medications
• ✓ Many craft materials

Your packaging matters, too. Even if the contents are fine, certain materials will get your mail rejected. Envelopes padded with gray diamond dust and corrugated cardboard boxes mailed from family and friends are prohibited for incoming mail.