What Happens to Outgoing Letters & Indigent Mail at Siskiyou County Jail

Inmates at Siskiyou County Jail cannot seal their own outgoing mail. Staff inspect each letter for contraband first, then seal the envelope afterward. If your loved one mentions having to leave their envelope open, this is why. It's part of the jail's standard mail security process.

Legal mail works differently. Inmates can seal their own legal correspondence, which is the one exception to the normal outgoing-mail rule. When legal mail does need to be opened or inspected, staff do so in the inmate's presence. This protects attorney-client confidentiality while still allowing the jail to complete its inspection procedures.

Indigent inmates at Siskiyou County Jail can send two outgoing letters per week at no cost. This weekly allowance covers regular mail only. Legal mail is handled separately and doesn't count against the limit.

Want to help your loved one write more often? You can send support through approved channels. Siskiyou County Jail accepts money orders or cashier's checks made out to the inmate, plus letters and postcards. Newspapers and magazines are allowed only when mailed directly from the publisher. Certain books (soft cover, new condition) can be sent if ordered and shipped from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

• ✓ Put your name and a stamped or printed return address on all incoming mail. Address labels are not allowed.
• ✓ Do not use gang monikers, nicknames, or initials on mail.
• ✓ Stick to allowed incoming items, such as letters and postcards, money orders or cashier’s checks made out to the inmate, newspapers and magazines mailed only from the publisher, and approved books (soft cover, new condition, ordered and shipped from Amazon or Barnes and Noble).
• ✓ Plan around mail handling days. Mail is opened, inspected, and distributed each day except Sundays and holidays.