Sending Photos to Sutter County Jail: The 3x5 Rule and 'Unadorned' Requirement

Getting photos accepted at Sutter County Jail comes down to two rules: keep them small (3" x 5" or less) and keep them "unadorned." All mail gets inspected for contraband, so following the jail's guidelines helps your photos make it through screening.

2 min read suttersheriff.org
Sending Photos to Sutter County Jail: The 3x5 Rule and 'Unadorned' Requirement

Sutter County Jail accepts photographs for incarcerated people, but they must be unadorned. That means plain, straightforward pictures - no extras that turn a photo into something more.

Size matters: photos can't exceed 3 inches by 5 inches. Anything larger won't meet the jail's photo rule, so resize or choose smaller prints before mailing.

The easiest way to understand "unadorned" is to look at Sutter County Jail's mail restrictions. The jail won't accept envelopes with extra writing beyond what's needed for delivery: the recipient's name, incarcerated person number, address, and return address. Keep everything clean and minimal - the envelope and what's inside - and you'll meet the jail's expectation for unadorned photos.

Warning: Mail cannot contain contraband, threats or intimidation, escape plans, possible criminal information, or anything that violates state or federal law.

All incoming and outgoing mail gets inspected for contraband. Even if you're just sending pictures, those photos go through screening - and anything that breaks the rules can be held back.

Sending Photos to Sutter County Jail: The 3x5 Rule and 'Unadorned' Requirement

Practical Checklist

  • Print photos at 3" x 5" or smaller.
  • Send only unadorned photographs.
  • Use an envelope with no writing beyond the recipient’s name, incarcerated person number, address, and the sender/return address.

Reminder: All correspondence is inspected for contraband, and mail with prohibited content (like threats or escape plans) isn’t allowed.

If photos get returned or your loved one says they never arrived, remember that all correspondence is inspected for contraband. When something doesn't meet the jail's rules, it may be withheld during screening.

There's no limit on how much mail someone can send or receive, but there is a limit on how much mail and how many photographs they can keep in their cell. If you plan to send pictures regularly, keep that storage limit in mind.

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