What You Need to Know Before Mailing Anything to Ouachita Correctional Center
Mail gets rejected at Ouachita Correctional Center (OCC) for predictable reasons: wrong item type, wrong source, or content that doesn't meet facility standards. This checklist will help you send things that actually make it through.
At a Glance
- ✓ Paperback books only (no hardbacks)
- ✓ No more than two books per mailing
- ✓ No used books from any source
- ✓ Magazines and newspapers: subscription-only
- ✓ Portrait photos are allowed if they’re no larger than 5×7
- ✓ Female offenders may receive up to three plain white or gray sports-type pullover bras (no hooks, padding, underwires, lace, or embellishments)
- ✓ No pornographic material
- ✓ No magazines, books, or pictures showing anyone in a sexually provocative manner
Mailing books? Paperbacks only - hardbacks get rejected. Keep it to two books at a time, and don't send used books from any source. OCC won't accept them.
For magazines and newspapers, OCC only allows them by subscription. Even with a valid subscription, expect the facility to remove certain inserts and extras - subscription cards, posters (pictures larger than 8½ × 11), and any cologne or perfume samples are pulled out before the rest is delivered.
Photos can be a bright spot, but OCC is specific about what they'll accept. Portrait pictures must be 5×7 or smaller. Polaroids are a different story: they'll be returned whole, and they'll also be rejected if you crop the photo or remove the bottom/backing.
- ✓ No photos or drawings showing alcoholic beverages
- ✓ No photos or drawings showing drugs
- ✓ No photos or drawings showing undergarments or lingerie
- ✓ No photos or drawings showing nudity
- ✓ No obscene, vulgar, or suggestive gestures
- ✓ No gang and/or hand signs
- ✓ No weapons
- ✓ Nothing that could create a threat to safety, security, or discipline
- ✓ No magazines, books, or pictures showing anyone in a sexually provocative manner
Sexual content is the fastest way to get mail rejected. OCC won't accept pornographic material, and magazines, books, or pictures showing anyone in sexually provocative poses are also off-limits. Photos and drawings get flagged for safety reasons too - anything depicting alcohol, drugs, weapons, gang signs, or other content that could threaten facility security or discipline will be rejected.
Digital option: OCC also allows family and friends to exchange digital messages with inmates online or through the GettingOut mobile app.
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