Before You Mail That Letter: Rowan County Detention Center Complete Mail Checklist

Quick Pre Send

• ✓ Write the inmate’s ID number on the front of the envelope.
• ✓ If you’re sending a money order, write the inmate’s ID number on the money order.
• ✓ Add a physical street return address (a PO Box by itself isn’t accepted).
• ✓ Make sure your letter is 10 pages or less total.
• ✓ Count printed pages too (anything you printed from the Internet or similar media counts toward the 10-page limit).
• ✓ If you include photos, keep it to 10 photos max in one envelope.

Put the inmate's ID number on the front of the envelope. This is how staff match mail to the right person - without it, your letter could be delayed or sent back.

Same rule for money orders: write the inmate's ID number directly on it. Leave it off, and the funds may not be credited correctly - or the money order gets returned.

Use a physical street address for your return address. PO Boxes alone aren't accepted, and mail without a valid return address gets sent back. Skip sticker labels too - write or type your name and address directly on the envelope.

Letters can't exceed 10 pages. That includes anything you print and tuck inside - internet printouts, articles, whatever. Count every sheet before sealing the envelope.

Photos are allowed, but size and quantity matter. Pictures and greeting cards must be 4 inches by 6 inches or smaller, with a maximum of 10 photos per envelope. No Polaroids - stick with standard printed photos.

Prohibited Items Returned

• ✓ Lipstick on the letter or envelope
• ✓ Perfumed letters or perfumed envelopes
• ✓ Sticker address labels (return name/address must be handwritten or typed)
• ✓ Stamps, blank paper, extra envelopes, or other items that can be traded, sold, or used to gamble

Mail containing contraband gets returned, and the inmate is notified. This includes cash or coins, drugs, altered envelopes or contents (anything soaked or permeated with liquid), gang-related materials, and items like glue or staples. Stickers, metal, and similar extras will also trigger a return. Keep it simple: paper letter, approved-size photos, nothing else.

If your mail comes back, save the envelope and any return reason so you know exactly what to fix. Contraband items are returned with notification to the inmate. Repeated violations can cost you mail privileges with the facility - take a moment to double-check the rules before resending.

1. Keep the returned envelope and notes - you’ll need the return reason to correct the problem.
2. Fix the specific violation and resend - remove prohibited items, correct the addressing/ID number, and stay within page/photo limits.
3. Avoid repeat mistakes - repeated violations may result in denial of mail privileges to the sender.