How Napa Corrections Handles Legal Mail (and Why It's Opened Differently)

Legal and court-related correspondence at Napa Corrections is confidential. Because of that, it follows a different inspection process: staff only open it when the incarcerated person is there to witness.

Other mail doesn't fall under "legal" handling. Magazines, newspapers, periodicals, and paperback books must come directly from the publisher, a bookstore, or a reputable internet/mail-order company. Hardbound books? Those are reviewed case by case - they're not automatically accepted.

Legal mail gets opened differently. Napa Corrections treats it as confidential, so staff only inspect it with the incarcerated person present - not behind closed doors.

Regular mail doesn't get the same protection. Napa Corrections can open and inspect non-legal correspondence for "good cause," which gives staff more discretion over how it's handled.

If something you send counts as contraband, Napa Corrections rejects it and tells you why. One common mistake: including hard plastic or metal items - bindings included. Those aren't allowed.

• ✓ Not using a plain envelope and the facility’s specified addressing format (mail can be rejected)
• ✓ Including hard plastic or metal items, including bindings
• ✓ Sending magazines, newspapers, periodicals, or paperback books from someone other than the publisher, a bookstore, or a verifiable and reputable internet/mail-order company

1. Use a plain envelope and follow the facility’s addressing format - Napa Corrections rejects incoming mail that isn’t addressed on a plain envelope using the specified format.
2. Build in processing time - incoming mail is received and processed Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, so plan for weekend and holiday gaps.

Worried about sending too much? Don't be. People housed at the Napa County Department of Corrections can send and receive unlimited letters. That includes correspondence with legal representatives, so you can stay in touch as often as needed.