How to Send Mail to a Juvenile at Ward County Juvenile Detention Center

Staff inspect all mail sent to juveniles at Ward County Juvenile Detention Center, so some items may be withheld or delayed. Mail goes out and comes in daily - but not on weekends or holidays. Everything must go through the U.S. Postal Service. Don't try to hand-deliver letters, cards, or packages.

Addressing and Mail to

• ✓ Ward County Juvenile Detention Center
• ✓ (Youth’s Name)
• ✓ P.O. Box 907
• ✓ Minot, ND 58702

Ward County Juvenile Detention Center allows a limited set of items through incoming mail: paper with words and/or drawings, signed non-musical commercial greeting cards and postcards, and photographs. Sending Polaroids? Remove the backing first. Periodicals and other published materials are allowed too, but they must ship directly from the publisher.

Storage depends on the class of mail. Juveniles can keep first-class and certified mail in their rooms. Other classes go into their lockers.

Some content won't make it through screening. Sexually explicit publications are prohibited. Mail can also be withheld or censored if it contains deceptive pornography or inflammatory writings. Staff may read mail when there's convincing evidence the contents threaten the safety and security of the detention center, public officials, or the general public.

One rule that catches families off guard: juveniles at Ward County Juvenile Detention Center cannot correspond with any inmate or juvenile held in another detention or correctional facility. This applies to all forms of communication - written, verbal, visual, or otherwise.

Ward County Juvenile Detention Center provides two stamps per week per juvenile for outgoing mail. Need extra postage? It can be purchased at the Detention Office. Stamps bought outside the facility aren't allowed - don't mail in loose stamps or try to send extras from home.

Practical Checklist

• ✓ Send it through the U.S. Postal Service - don’t bring letters, cards, or parcels to the visiting area or try to drop them off with the booking officer.
• ✓ Address it exactly as required, with the youth’s name on the second line.
• ✓ Stick to allowed items: paper with writing/drawings, signed non-musical commercial cards/postcards, photos (remove Polaroid backing), and publisher-shipped periodicals.
• ✓ Avoid bulk mailing materials - they may be rejected.
• ✓ Don’t include sexually explicit publications or anything that could be treated as deceptive pornography, inflammatory writing, or a safety/security threat.
• ✓ Assume the mail will be inspected and plan your message accordingly.

1. Re-check the address format - Make sure the youth’s name is on the second line and you’re using P.O. Box 907.
2. Verify the ZIP code before re-sending - Ward County’s site shows conflicting ZIP codes for that P.O. Box, so confirm the correct one with the Detention Office.
3. Factor in processing time - Mail is inspected and handled daily, but not on weekends or holidays, so delays around those days are common.
4. Ask about inspection-related holds - Because all incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection, contact the Detention Office if you believe mail was withheld, censored, or returned.