What counts as contraband at Rensselaer County Jail — penalties and what happens to packages

For packages, the jail’s rules are the clearest line between “allowed” and “contraband.” All inmate packages must be shipped directly from a company whose ordinary business includes selling and shipping those items, or from a preferred vendor (examples include Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Securepak). If you send a package from another type of seller, it will be returned to the sender. The contents matter just as much as the sender. Packages must contain approved items only, and everything has to be new and in the original packaging. If a package doesn’t meet those standards, limits, and requirements, it may be returned. The jail also notes that packages and how often they can be received may be limited, so it helps to coordinate with the incarcerated person before you place an order. One more rule that trips people up: Rensselaer County no longer accepts inmate property of any kind at the front window (effective March 25, 2020). If you’re trying to get something to someone inside, plan on using the approved shipping routes instead of drop-off.

Every incoming package is treated like it could contain something unauthorized. The jail inventories and inspects all incoming property for contraband before it’s distributed, and packages are searched and examined by security staff. If staff suspect contraband, the package doesn’t just get a quick rejection and move on. A package containing contraband (meaning any unauthorized item) will be flagged and turned over to the appropriate authorities or staff member to be investigated, and the entire package may be held while that investigation happens.

1. The package is flagged as contraband - if it contains any unauthorized item, it’s treated as contraband.
2. It’s turned over for investigation - staff can turn it over to the appropriate authorities or staff member.
3. The whole package may be held - the entire package may be kept while the investigation is ongoing.
4. It may be returned to the sender within 90 days - returns can happen within 90 days, pending criminal charges.

Returns depend on the package being returnable. The jail’s guidance says packages arriving without a return address will be disposed of according to the facility’s property disposal guidelines. So even though a contraband-related package may be returned to sender within 90 days while charges are pending, you should assume there’s no “do-over” if you leave the return address off. If you’re ordering through an approved vendor, double-check that the shipment includes a clear return address before it goes out.

Consequences

• ✓ Investigation by the facility if contraband is received through a package
• ✓ Internal discipline and/or internal charges
• ✓ Possible criminal charges (NY Penal Law 205.20: promoting prison contraband in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor)
• ✓ Package privileges suspended indefinitely

On the sender side, the most common outcome is that the package never makes it to your person. If the shipment doesn’t come directly from a company whose ordinary business includes selling and shipping the items (or a preferred vendor), it will be returned to the sender. If the package is tied up as contraband, the jail says the entire package may be held for investigation and may be returned to sender within 90 days, pending criminal charges. That timeline can feel long, but it’s a reminder not to reorder right away until you know what happened - otherwise you can accidentally pile on more rejected shipments.

How to Avoid

• ✓ Order through an approved route: ship directly from a company whose ordinary business includes sale/shipping, or use a preferred vendor (examples include Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Securepak).
• ✓ Stick to approved items only; don’t “test” the rules with extras.
• ✓ Send items new and in original packaging to reduce the chance of a return.