Why Your Original Letters Won't Be Returned — Scanning, Retention, and How Released Inmates Access Mail
Southwest Regional Jail's Abingdon Facility scans most incoming postal mail into an electronic system. This means you won't get the original letter, card, or photo back — and it's why addressing the envelope correctly matters.
Regular inmate postal mail at Abingdon - postcards, letters, greeting cards - goes through Smart Communications' MailGuard process. Rather than delivering paper, the facility scans everything into an electronic system. Inmates view their mail on the kiosk or tablet. Here's the catch: originals are destroyed after scanning. If you're hoping to get that birthday card or family photo back someday, you won't. Plan accordingly. To avoid delays or rejections, address mail exactly as required. Send inmate postal mail to Smart Communications at P.O. Box 9110, Seminole, FL 33775. Print the inmate's name and ID number clearly on the outside of the envelope.
Mail address: Send to Smart Communications, P.O. Box 9110, Seminole, FL 33775. Include the inmate's name and ID number on the envelope - mail without this information gets returned to sender.
Scanned mail doesn't stick around forever. Items are deleted from the electronic system after 30 days. That's a limited window to view them inside - and a limited window to save copies after release.
After release, the formerly incarcerated person can still retrieve their scanned mail. They log in at SmartInmate.com using their inmate number and password, then download photos, messages, and postal mail for free. Helping someone who just got out? Make sure they have their inmate number and account password. Once logged in, they should download everything they want to keep before older items disappear from the system.
Having trouble with inmate mail or Smart Communications services? For account access issues, missing scans, or MailGuard questions, contact Smart Communications at 1-888-253-5178 or visit SmartInmate.com.
Don’t send irreplaceable originals: Because originals are destroyed after scanning, only mail copies of important documents or photos you can live without getting back.
- ✓ For legal mail and money orders, mail directly to: INMATE NAME, P.O. Box 280, Meadowview, VA 24361 (Abingdon Facility).
- Address regular postal mail to Smart Communications - For Abingdon, send it to P.O. Box 9110, Seminole, FL 33775.
- Print the inmate’s name and ID on the envelope - If either one is missing, the mail will be returned to sender.
- Get help when something doesn’t look right - Contact Smart Communications at 1-888-253-5178 or use SmartInmate.com for support.
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