Mail, photos, and publications: how mail is processed and delivered in NDCS
- Use the scanning vendor address for personal correspondence. NDCS policy says that effective November 12, 2024, incoming personal correspondence is scanned by a contracted vendor and must be addressed to: Facility Name (where the person is assigned), State of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, the person’s committed name (or legally changed name) and institutional number, Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131.
- Assume everything in your envelope becomes one document. NDCS policy says personal correspondence is scanned into a single PDF for tablet delivery.
- Keep the entire mailing policy-compliant. If any part violates NDCS policy or the vendor’s policy, NDCS says the entire PDF will be rejected.
- Understand how it’s delivered. NDCS says approved scanned mail is delivered to the person’s tablet normally within 24 hours of approval, and if they do not have an assigned tablet, staff will photocopy the approved scanned correspondence and deliver it normally within 24 hours of approval.
- Don’t use fax or telegram. NDCS policy says incarcerated individuals are not allowed to receive communication by facsimile machine or telegram.
County jails often have different mail addresses and rules than NDCS. Sarpy County Correctional Center, for example, accepts mail at 1206 Golden Gate Drive, Papillion, NE 68046 with the inmate's name. NDCS defines "mail" broadly to include items received through the U.S. Postal Service: personal correspondence, funds, publications, and packages. Check the facility's current instructions before sending anything.
For books and publications in NDCS, start with the approved vendor rules and addresses. NDCS policy generally allows no restrictions on the number, length, language, content, or source of mail or publications unless a limitation is reasonably necessary for safety or security. NDCS publishes an approved book vendor list noting that members of the public may order books from Barnes & Noble for delivery to incarcerated individuals. The Barnes & Noble mailing address listed is 3333 Oakview Drive, Omaha, NE 68144.
Common Questions
Q
Where should I address mail and photos for someone at Sarpy County Correctional Center?
Sarpy County Correctional Center says you can address mail to: (Inmate’s Name), Sarpy County Correctional Center, 1206 Golden Gate Drive, Papillion, NE 68046. If the person is in an NDCS facility instead of Sarpy County, NDCS policy says personal correspondence must go to the scanning vendor address in Phoenix, Maryland, so double-check the facility type before you send anything.
Q
Can I send books or packages from online retailers?
For NDCS, start with the approved vendor list, not a random retailer shipment. NDCS policy says there are generally no restrictions on the source of mail or publications unless a limitation is reasonably necessary for safety or security, and NDCS’s approved book vendor list specifically notes that members of the public may order books from Barnes & Noble for delivery. The same vendor list shows a Barnes & Noble mailing address of 3333 Oakview Drive, Omaha, NE 68144, which you should use as directed by NDCS when ordering.
Q
What happens if mail violates NDCS or vendor policy?
NDCS says personal correspondence is scanned into a single PDF, and if any part violates NDCS policy or the vendor’s policy, the entire PDF will be rejected. That means one problem page or photo can cause the whole mailing to be refused, so keep your content simple and policy-compliant.
Q
If an inmate has no tablet, how will they receive scanned mail?
NDCS says staff will photocopy approved scanned correspondence and deliver it to the incarcerated individual normally within 24 hours of approval if the person does not have an assigned tablet. The scanning process still applies, it just changes how the person receives it at the facility.
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