What Happens to Your Mail Before Your Loved One Reads It
If you're used to sending a handwritten letter and picturing it landing directly in your loved one's hands, Minnesota DOC mail works differently. Here's what
At Minnesota DOC facilities, including MCF Shakopee, incoming mail is opened and scanned. Instead of receiving the original piece of mail you sent, your loved one is provided a copy of it. In plain terms, that means staff (or the DOC’s process) physically opens the envelope, creates a digital scan of what you mailed, and then your loved one reads the copied version rather than the original paper item.
Note: Because mail is scanned, your loved one may receive a copy rather than the original letter, photo, or card you sent.
The Minnesota DOC says it moved to a mail-scanning process that runs through a third-party vendor to reduce drug contraband coming into facilities through the mail. This change came out of a period when families and friends were especially worried about synthetic drugs being introduced via mailed items.
The DOC also reports that since implementing third-party scanning, the number of overdoses and Narcan interventions has dropped significantly. That’s the DOC’s stated outcome from the change, and it’s part of how they weigh the tradeoff between convenience for families and safety inside the facility.
Scanning can add time. When your letter has to be opened, processed, and scanned (and the DOC is using a third-party vendor as part of that process), delivery may take a little longer than the old “straight to the mailroom” timeline. If you’re sending something where timing matters, build in extra days so your loved one isn’t waiting on a copied letter that’s still moving through the scanning steps.
Tip: Mail anything time-sensitive earlier than you normally would - especially birthday cards, important personal updates, or documents with deadlines.
If you need an original document delivered (or you’re dealing with something special like certified paperwork), don’t assume it will be handled the same way as regular mail. The safest move is to ask for guidance before you send it. The Friends and Family handbook lists Minnesota DOC Central Office contact information you can use for questions: Phone (651) 361-7200, Fax (651) 642-0223, and 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
- ✓ Call Minnesota DOC Central Office to explain what you need to send and why
- ✓ Confirm the current policy for the facility before mailing originals
- ✓ Ask how certified or legal documents should be sent and processed
- ✓ Ask whether there’s a procedure for returning originals (if that matters for your situation)
If you want to avoid the uncertainty of physical mail, Minnesota DOC also points families to TextBehind. You can create an account and electronically send letters, photos, and greeting cards to your loved one. For many families, that’s the simplest option when you want your message to move through the system without the extra handling that comes with envelopes, paper photos, and cards.
When to use electronic sending: If you’re trying to get a greeting card or photos to your loved one quickly, an electronic option like TextBehind can be a better fit - just confirm what’s accepted for your loved one’s facility.
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