How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

Physical mail isn't handed directly to inmates here. Instead, all incoming mail is scanned at a central processing location and delivered electronically. Your loved one will read what you send on facility kiosks or tablets in their living area. They won't receive the original paper letter or photo, just a scanned copy. Worth knowing before you send anything sentimental.

You can't place a live phone call to an inmate at this facility. The only form of incoming phone contact is voicemail, and even that is limited to approved inmates. This matters if you're trying to reach someone quickly. Voicemail only works if the person you're contacting has been set up to receive it.

Phone access works the other way around: inmates can use facility telephones after they complete the booking process. This is separate from the incoming call restriction. If your loved one was just brought in, expect a delay before they can call. Once booking wraps up, they should be able to place outbound calls from the facility phone.

Steps Follow

• ✓ Write and send your mail assuming it will be scanned at a central processing location, then delivered electronically.
• ✓ Include clear identifying details on the envelope so it can be matched to the correct inmate.
• ✓ Expect your loved one to view your message on a kiosk or tablet inside the facility, not as the original paper item.

• ✓ Do not plan on reaching an inmate by calling in for a live conversation, the facility does not accept live incoming calls.
• ✓ Use voicemail as the incoming option, and make sure the inmate is approved to receive voicemail messages.
• ✓ If the person was recently booked, factor in timing. Inmates receive access to facility telephones after the booking process is completed.

1. Confirm how mail is delivered: Ask whether incoming mail is scanned at a central processing location and provided electronically on kiosks or tablets.
2. Confirm addressing and content rules: Verify what inmate identifiers are required on the envelope and what items or content will be rejected under the mail guidelines.

1. Confirm the “no incoming calls” rule: Make sure voicemail is the only incoming phone option.
2. Ask how voicemail approval works: Find out what “approved inmate” means in practice, and what has to happen before the inmate can receive voicemails.
3. Ask when phone access begins after arrival: Confirm that telephone access starts after booking is complete, and ask what that timeline looks like for someone newly booked.