How Mail Works at Pontiac: What Gets Scanned, What Stays Original
Sending mail to someone at Pontiac? Here's the key thing to know: most regular mail gets scanned and delivered digitally to tablets, while privileged and legal mail follows a separate process.
When non-privileged mail arrives at Pontiac, mailroom staff scan everything in color - the envelope (front and back) plus each item inside. Those scans become PDF images uploaded to the recipient's Bulletin Board for tablet viewing. Your loved one reads a digital version of what you sent, not the original paper.
Note: Your loved one views non-privileged mail as a scanned PDF on their tablet's Bulletin Board - not the physical letter.
Privileged Legal
- ✓ Clearly mark the envelope as “privileged” or “legal”
- ✓ Include the sender’s name
- ✓ Include the sender’s title
- ✓ Include the sender’s address
Privileged and legal mail works differently. Staff open it in front of the recipient to check for contraband and verify the sender's credentials. This type of mail isn't copied or scanned. The catch? Your envelope must be labeled correctly - sender's name, title, and address clearly marked as privileged or legal - to trigger this handling.
Reminder: No clear "privileged" or "legal" label with sender name, title, and address? It won't qualify for privileged mail handling under IDOC rules.
Starting September 30, 2025, books, magazines, and other publications must come directly from the publisher. No exceptions. This affects in-person visits too - you can no longer drop off reading material at the facility. Want to send a book? Order it through a publisher that ships directly to Pontiac.
Tip: Before you place an order, double-check that the publisher will ship directly and that the item is eligible to be accepted under the facility’s publication rules.
Prohibited Items
- ✓ Cash
- ✓ Personal checks or cashier’s checks
- ✓ Money orders
- ✓ Stamps
- ✓ Stationery
- ✓ Photographs that contain prohibited content under IDOC rules
Want to avoid delays or rejected mail? Know what's off-limits before you seal that envelope. IDOC specifically prohibits cash, checks, money orders, stamps, and stationery. Photos trip people up too - anything that violates IDOC content rules gets rejected. When in doubt, check the official IDOC prohibited-items guidance and keep it simple with standard letters.
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