How to Contact an Inmate at USP YAZOO CITY (MS)

Phone calls from USP Yazoo City are monitored. Notices are posted next to the institutional telephones letting inmates know, so keep that level of privacy in mind during your conversations.

Usually, the inmate pays for phone calls. In some situations the person receiving the call may pay instead, but don't assume that option is available for every call type or every person. One thing you cannot do is set up third-party or other alternative call arrangements. Those workarounds aren't permitted, and attempting them can put the inmate's phone privileges at risk.

Legal calls work differently. Unmonitored calls to attorneys are permitted in certain circumstances, which matters if your loved one needs a confidential conversation with counsel.

Mail is a reliable way to stay connected, but everything is screened. Staff open and inspect general correspondence for contraband and for content that could threaten the security or good order of the institution. "Special mail" (when properly marked) is treated differently. It can only be opened in the inmate's presence, though staff will still inspect it for physical contraband and confirm any enclosures qualify as special mail.

USP Yazoo City uses TRULINCS for electronic messaging, but access isn't automatic. The inmate has to be approved to use the system, and each person the inmate wants to communicate with must give permission to receive electronic messages.

If you want to visit, you'll typically need approval before you ever show up. You may be asked to complete the BP-A0629 visitor questionnaire, and the institution may request background information from law enforcement as part of the approval process.

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• ✓ Expect the inmate to pay for most phone calls, unless you are told your situation allows the receiving party to pay.
• ✓ Do not use third-party or “alternative” call arrangements. They are not permitted.
• ✓ Use only the payment method(s) the facility’s phone system accepts for your situation (confirm before you add funds or agree to charges).

1. Confirm the call is a legal call: Unmonitored calls are permitted for attorneys in certain circumstances, so the call needs to fit that category.
2. Follow the institution’s process to request an unmonitored call: Your loved one (or counsel) typically has to use the facility’s established procedure so the call can be set up under the circumstances that allow it.

• ✓ Confirm the inmate is approved to use TRULINCS.
• ✓ Make sure each recipient has given permission to receive electronic messages from the inmate.

1. Send regular letters knowing they will be inspected: General correspondence is opened and inspected by staff for contraband and content.
2. If you are sending special mail, mark it as special mail: Special incoming mail that is properly marked can only be opened in the inmate’s presence.
3. Expect inspection either way: Even special mail is inspected for physical contraband and to confirm enclosures qualify as special mail.

• ✓ Complete the BP-A0629 visitor questionnaire if the institution requires it for your approval.
• ✓ Be prepared for the institution to request background information from law enforcement as part of the process.

Before you plan around phone calls, confirm the current rules with the institution. Calls are monitored, and notices are posted next to the phones letting inmates know. Also verify the payment setup for your loved one's calls. Ordinarily the inmate pays, but in some cases the receiving party pays. Ask what applies to your situation so you don't end up with the wrong billing arrangement. Keep it simple and compliant. Third-party or other alternative call arrangements are not permitted, even if they seem like an easy workaround. If legal matters are involved, ask specifically about the process and eligibility for unmonitored attorney calls. These are permitted in certain circumstances, but you'll want to pin down exactly what those circumstances are.

For TRULINCS electronic messages, verify two things up front: the inmate must be approved to use the system, and each person the inmate wants to message must give permission to receive electronic messages. These approval and permission steps are what usually slow families down.

For mail, confirm what the institution currently treats as general correspondence versus special mail, and how special mail needs to be marked. General correspondence is opened and inspected by staff for contraband and content. Specially marked incoming mail can only be opened in the inmate's presence, though staff will still inspect it for physical contraband and confirm it qualifies as special mail. If you're sending anything beyond a basic letter, verify whether it's allowed and how it will be reviewed.

For visiting, confirm exactly what you need to submit for approval. You may need to complete the BP-A0629 visitor questionnaire, and the institution may request background information from law enforcement. Ask about timelines, too. Visitor approval can take a while, and it's much easier to wait for confirmation before making travel plans.