How to Send Mail to an Inmate at Ottawa County Detention Facility (May 2024 process)

To send non-legal mail to someone at the Ottawa County Detention Facility, address your envelope exactly like this (include the inmate's name and their identifier): Ottawa County Detention Center Inmate Name, Inmate Identifier PO Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

As of May 27, 2024, Ottawa County Correctional Facilities no longer accept mail directly - legal processes are the only exception. Policies can change, so double-check the Ottawa County Corrections information page before sending anything.

Your non-legal mail doesn't go straight to the jail. It goes to ICSolutions first, where it's scanned into their system as part of the facility's vendor scanning process.

1. Mail your letter to the PO Box address - your envelope is routed to ICSolutions for processing.
2. ICSolutions scans the mail into its system - after scanning, it’s sent on to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.
3. Staff review the scanned mail - the Sheriff’s Office reviews it and decides whether it’s approved or rejected.

Approved mail isn't handed out as paper. Instead, all approved mail - including photographs - is available digitally on the video terminals in each housing range.

Quick Checklist

• ✓ Address it exactly as required: “Ottawa County Detention Center” + the inmate’s name + the inmate identifier, then “PO Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131.”
• ✓ Keep content clean: avoid vulgar/sexual references or anything abusive.
• ✓ Don’t include references to illegal activity (like drug use).
• ✓ Skip anything that could disrupt the facility or an inmate’s mental well-being.
• ✓ If you’re sending photos, make sure subjects are fully dressed.

Not sure you're following the current process? Start by confirming the latest mail policy with Ottawa County Corrections - the "no mail except legal processes" rule took effect May 27, 2024. For vendor-related questions, the ICSolutions website lets you register, add funds, schedule a visit, or set up an offsite visit.