New Mail & Publications Rules for Western Illinois Correctional Center: What to Know Before You Send
If you write to someone at Western Illinois Correctional Center, your non-privileged mail will be scanned and delivered as a digital copy (or photocopy)—not the original. And starting Sept. 30, 2025, books and publications must come directly from an approved publisher to be accepted.
Western Illinois Correctional Center now scans and/or photocopies all incoming non-privileged mail. The letter or card you send won't be handed over in its original form - your loved one will receive a scanned version instead.
Here's how it works: mailroom staff scan the front and back of the envelope in color, along with everything inside - letters, greeting cards, photographs. Those scans become PDF images and get uploaded to the person's Bulletin Board, where they can view the mail on their tablet.
Good to know: There is no cost to you or your loved one for the electronic scanning of non-privileged mail.
If your loved one wants a paper copy of something that was scanned, they can request a printout. They'll need to submit an Individual In Custody Request Form (DOC 028) with the document number shown on the scanned mail item.
Privileged and legal mail is handled differently - it won't be scanned or photocopied. It still follows the existing legal-mail process.
A second change takes effect September 30, 2025. After that date, Western Illinois Correctional Center will only accept books, magazines, and similar publications if they're mailed directly from the publisher. Visitors won't be able to drop off reading materials at the facility for a specific person anymore.
IDOC defines "publisher" broadly. It includes book publishers, book clubs, bookstores, online retailers, religious organizations or ministries, educational institutions, and government agencies that conduct mail-order business or deliver publications to readers.
No tablet access? Your loved one won't be left out. Anyone without a tablet will receive paper photocopies of their scanned non-privileged mail.
Plan ahead: Because non-privileged mail is scanned and/or photocopied, your original mailed items won’t be available in their original form once processed.
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- ✓ Assume your non-privileged letters, cards, and photos will be scanned in color and uploaded as PDFs for tablet viewing.
- ✓ If something is irreplaceable, don’t send the only original - your loved one will typically receive a scanned/photocopied version rather than the original item.
- ✓ Budget-wise, you can keep it simple: there’s no fee to you or your loved one for electronic scanning.
- ✓ For books, magazines, and other publications, plan to order through a qualifying “publisher” source (publishers, book clubs, bookstores/retailers, religious organizations, educational institutions, or government units that do mail order).
- ✓ Before you place an order, double-check that the sender fits IDOC’s definition of “publisher,” since that’s what the mailroom will use to decide whether it’s accepted.
- ✓ After Sept. 30, 2025, don’t try to hand-deliver publications during a visit - visitor drop-offs won’t be allowed.
When addressing your envelope, use your loved one's name and identifying details consistently. This helps the facility match scanned mail to the right person's Bulletin Board. Inconsistent information can slow down delivery.
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