How to Send Mail to Someone at Upshur County Jail (PO Box / Mail-Scanning Rules)

Upshur County uses NCIC for inmate messaging and mail scanning. The fastest option is NCIC's Inmate Messaging system: set up an account at NCIC.com, type your message, and it's delivered instantly. You can even attach a photo or document right in the message. It's also cheaper than buying postage and envelopes. If you have questions about the NCIC system, call 1-844-724-2076.

All inmate mail at Upshur County Jail goes through the central processing PO Box, with a few exceptions: books, magazines, newspapers, legal mail, and medical mail should be sent directly to the facility. If you send a physical letter through the PO Box, treat it as a one-way send. Once it's scanned and delivered electronically to the inmate, the original paper copy is destroyed. That includes any pictures or other items you included.

Most mail for someone at Upshur County Jail needs to go to the central processing address in Longview. Your envelope must include the inmate's name and SO number, plus the facility name. Address it to P O BOX 591, Longview, Texas 75606. Missing any of those details makes it more likely your mail will be delayed or rejected.

• ✓ Inmate full name
• ✓ SO#
• ✓ Facility name
• ✓ P O BOX 591
• ✓ Longview, Texas 75606

The mail-scanning service has strict size limits because your letter has to fit the scanner. Only mail that is 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall (or smaller) will be accepted. Keep it short, too. Mail sent through the PO Box can be no more than five pages total.

1. Stick to letter-size pages (8.5" x 11") so the processing center can accept it.
2. Count your pages before sealing the envelope and keep the total to 5 pages or fewer.
3. Avoid adding extra paper that pushes you over the limit (for example, “just one more note” on a separate sheet).

Only the front of each page gets scanned, so don't write on the back. If you do, your mail may be returned instead of delivered. Photos are another common snag. Stick to one photo per mailing. Send more than one and the whole letter gets returned. The inmate receives none of it.

• ✓ Writing on the back of any page (only the front side is scanned)
• ✓ Including more than 1 photo in the same mailing (the whole letter can be returned)
• ✓ Assuming the inmate will see back-side notes or captions (they will not be scanned)

A few types of mail should skip the PO Box entirely. Books, magazines, and newspapers must be mailed directly to the facility. The same goes for legal mail and medical mail. Send those to the facility where the inmate is housed, following that facility's mail rules.

• ✓ Do not send books to the PO Box
• ✓ Do not send magazines to the PO Box
• ✓ Do not send newspapers to the PO Box
• ✓ Do not send legal mail to the PO Box (send it to the facility)
• ✓ Do not send medical mail to the PO Box (send it to the facility)

Got a question about the scanning or messaging service? Call NCIC at 1-844-724-2076. For facility-specific questions, or if you need to confirm what your person can receive, call the Upshur County Sheriff Office at 903-843-2541 before you mail anything.