What You Can't Send in the Mail to Illinois DOC Facilities (And Why)
Mail rules in Illinois DOC can feel strict — but they exist for safety and security reasons. Sending a letter, photos, or other allowed paper items? Keep everything clean, plain, and free of anything that could hide contraband. That's the fastest way to avoid delays.
IDOC prohibits incoming mail with stains or discoloration. Even something harmless or sentimental - a spritz of perfume, a coffee ring - can trigger rejection. Anything that changes how the paper looks, feels, or smells raises security concerns and makes consistent screening harder.
- ✓ Perfume on the paper or envelope
- ✓ Lipstick marks (including “kiss” prints)
- ✓ Oily substances
- ✓ Any unusual stains or discoloration
- ✓ Bodily fluids
Hardback books aren't allowed. If you're sending reading material, don't assume any book will do - binding type matters, and hardcovers get refused.
Publications are handled differently than regular letters: IDOC doesn't scan or photocopy them. The same applies to certain official documents mailed from government entities - things like birth certificates and Social Security cards also skip the scanning process.
Anything IDOC deems unauthorized can be confiscated as contraband. Confiscated material is disposed of under Department Rule 501 C.
- ✓ Within 30 days of notice, have the property shipped (at the committed person’s expense) or have it picked up during certain hours by a person the committed person designates in writing
- ✓ Within 30 days of notice, request in writing that the property be destroyed
- ✓ Within 30 days of notice, indicate in writing that a grievance was filed about the confiscation
Once the incarcerated person receives notice of confiscation, the clock starts. They have 30 days to choose an option: arrange shipment at their own expense, designate someone in writing to pick it up during specified hours, request destruction in writing, or confirm they've filed a grievance.
Legal Privileged Mail
- ✓ Clearly mark the envelope as “privileged” or “legal”
- ✓ Clearly include the sender’s name
- ✓ Clearly include the sender’s title
- ✓ Clearly include the sender’s address
- Send it properly labeled - legal/privileged mail has to be clearly marked so it’s handled under the legal-mail process.
- Staff open it with the offender present - incoming privileged or legal mail is opened by staff in the presence of the offender it’s addressed to.
- Staff check for contraband and verify the sender - the opening is done to inspect for contraband and to verify the identity of the sender.
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