What You Can and Can't Mail to Petersburg Low FCI

Incoming letters are treated as either general mail or special mail. General correspondence is opened and inspected by staff, both for contraband and for content that could threaten the security or good order of the institution.

Special incoming mail gets different treatment, but it's not untouched. When properly marked as special mail, it can only be opened with the inmate present. Staff will still check for physical contraband and verify that enclosed materials actually qualify for special mail status.

For reading material, where it comes from matters. At Petersburg Low FCI, magazines and books are only allowed when sent directly from the publisher. Hardcover publications and newspapers face an even tighter rule across the BOP: they must come from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore.

Packages from home are generally not allowed. An inmate can't receive a package sent from someone at home unless they have prior written approval from the unit team or other authorized staff.

• ✓ Release clothing
• ✓ Authorized medical devices

Even when something comes from the right place, content can still get it rejected. Under BOP policy, a warden may reject incoming publications that depict or describe how to construct or use weapons, ammunition, bombs, or incendiary devices. Publications can also be rejected if they depict, encourage, or describe escape methods, or if they contain blueprints, drawings, or similar descriptions of BOP institutions. Instructional content about brewing alcohol or manufacturing drugs is another common reason for rejection.

Other grounds for rejection include coded writing and materials that depict, describe, or encourage activities that could lead to physical violence or group disruption. Publications encouraging or instructing criminal activity are also prohibited. Sexually explicit material may be rejected when its nature or content poses a threat to security, good order, or discipline.

If a book, magazine, or other item gets rejected, it may be sent back to the sender or publisher. If that happens, first confirm the item was mailed directly from an approved source (like a publisher). Then have your loved one find out what triggered the rejection so you don't resend the same thing and get another return.