Why Seminole County Jail doesn't accept postal mail or packages — and how to stay in touch (SmartJail photos & legal mail)
Trying to mail a letter, photos, or a package to someone at Seminole County Jail (John E. Polk Correctional Facility)? The rules have changed. Here's what gets rejected, what still works, and how to stay in touch—including SmartJail photos and legal mail.
The John E. Polk Correctional Facility stopped accepting postal mail for people in custody on December 21, 2018. Any mail received after January 16, 2019 gets returned to sender. So if you're sending personal letters through the mail, they won't reach your loved one - they'll come back to you.
Packages and books were cut off even earlier. As of July 1, 2018, the facility no longer accepts packages or books - including items shipped from publishers, Amazon, USPS, or any other delivery service. Send one anyway? It gets returned to sender.
Contraband Examples
- ✓ Battery- or electronically-operated cards
- ✓ Candy
- ✓ Care packages
- ✓ Clothing
- ✓ Envelopes
- ✓ Food
- ✓ Glitter
- ✓ Hygiene items
- ✓ Magazines
- ✓ Medication
- ✓ Polaroid pictures
- ✓ Stamps
- ✓ Stickers
- ✓ Writing paper
Warning: Care packages are not accepted at this facility, and they will be returned to the sender.
Legal mail works differently. It must be clearly marked as legal mail, and staff will deliver it to - and open it in front of - the inmate. If you're sending something time-sensitive or confidential for a case, label it properly so the jail treats it as legal mail.
Magazine subscriptions are one of the few printed items the facility still accepts, as long as they meet the jail's decency standards. Focus on subscriptions rather than trying to send loose magazines or extras - those won't make it through.
Want to send photos? The jail directs families to SmartJailMail. Create an account, pay a small fee, and send photos electronically instead of through the mail. There's no limit on how many you can send, but every photo goes through staff approval before your loved one sees it.
Tip: SmartJail photos still go through staff approval. Anything that would be considered contraband - including Polaroid-style photos or prohibited content - can be rejected.
Bottom line: if you send a package - care package, book, or anything shipped from Amazon, USPS, or another carrier - it won't be accepted. Expect it back.
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