Sending Mail to Someone at Lea County: How the New Smart Communications Tablets Work

NMCD began implementing Smart Communications tablets on July 1, 2024. Under this system, incoming mail no longer travels as paper all the way into the facility. Instead, mail gets processed and digitally uploaded so the person in custody can read it on their tablet. For families, the biggest change is that sending a letter is still possible, but you'll need to use a different mailing address. Expect a different timeline than you're used to.

For Lea County Correctional Facility (LCCF), NMCD has said families will receive new mailing addresses before the Smart Communications launch at that location. Expect a notice first, then start using the updated address once you have it. If you keep using an old address out of habit, you risk delays and returned mail. The safest move: wait for the new LCCF-specific instructions, then switch over.

• ✓ Call the LCCF inmate advocate to confirm the correct, current mailing address before you send anything.
• ✓ Contact: Inmate Advocate Moriama Valeriano, (575) 392-4055.

NMCD has also published centralized PO Box addresses in Seminole, Florida for multiple state facilities. This signals that mail handling is being routed offsite for processing. On NMCD's inmate-mail list, several facilities show a Seminole, FL PO Box format (for example, Central New Mexico Correctional Facility is listed with PO Box 9187 in Seminole, FL 33775-9189). Don't assume Lea County uses the same exact PO Box setup as the state facilities on that list. For LCCF, NMCD's guidance is that families will receive the new mailing address in advance. Your next step should be verifying the address meant specifically for your loved one's location.

Practical Steps

• ✓ Watch for the new LCCF mailing address notice, since NMCD says it will be provided in advance.
• ✓ If you need to send something sooner, confirm the correct address with the LCCF inmate advocate: Moriama Valeriano, (575) 392-4055.

Until you have the updated mailing address for Lea County, hold off on sending physical mail to an old address just to "get something on the way." With the switch to digitized delivery, using the wrong address is one of the easiest ways to create long delays.

1. Ask what the current mail timeline looks like - Find out how quickly letters are being uploaded to tablets once they are received and processed.
2. Ask how holds affect delivery - NMCD policy allows letters to be held up to 48 hours and packages (if allowed) up to 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
3. Plan around weekends and holidays - If you mail something near a holiday weekend, build in extra time so you are not waiting and worrying unnecessarily.