**Note**: The following mail policies and procedures are applicable to mail being sent directly to individuals in custody.

Individuals in custody may receive correspondence, legal mail, and publications in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures.

All incoming and outgoing correspondence (excluding privileged mail) is opened, examined for contraband, and distributed promptly. Contraband refers to items proscribed by criminal law, departmental or facility rules, or posted notices for which an individual in custody shall not possess within a facility.

For the safety and security of the Department, its population, and employees, **Indiana Sheriff's Department** prohibits correspondences or envelopes from containing the following materials:

- Envelopes padded with gray diamond dust and corrugated cardboard boxes mailed from family and friends;
- Mail containing any stains or discoloration, including but not limited to perfume, lipstick, oily substances, unusual stains, bodily fluids;
- Mail that includes the use of crayon, highlighter, or other markers on the paper, glitter, or other foreign or unknown substances on the paper;
- Mail that includes any added texture, beads, or other craft material;
- Return address stickers or labels;
- Stickers or tape on the correspondence or package;
- Mail without a return address;
- Mail that contains cloth, leather, ribbon, feathers, yarn, hair, white-out, tape, paint, glue, magnets, decals, dried flowers, and cologne;
- No hardback books.

Beyond the content-neutral restrictions listed above, the items will be thoroughly reviewed for contraband. Please find the relevant policies and regulations below:

Mail shall be delivered and posted promptly.

A.** All incoming and outgoing letters (excluding privileged mail) shall be opened, examined for contraband, and distributed promptly.

B.** All packages (excluding privileged mail) entering or leaving the institution shall be opened and checked or x-rayed for contraband before being processed.


1. All incoming non-privileged mail, including mail from Clerks of Courts, shall be opened and inspected for contraband.
2. Personal checks and cash shall be returned to the sender, and the sender shall be notified that funds cannot be received in that form.
3. If an offender has been transferred or released, first-class mail shall be forwarded to the person if the address is known. If no forwarding address is available, the mail shall be returned to the sender.
4. Offenders may receive publications, including books, periodicals, in accordance with Indiana Sheriff's Department. Other packages may be received only as approved by the Chief Administrative Officer. All packages shall be opened and searched prior to delivery.

**Individual in Custody Notification of Unauthorized Mail (DR 501 Subpart C)**

Material deemed unauthorized shall be confiscated and disposed of.  

**Incoming Packages**

This section addresses any package which is delivered to the institution by any carrier other than the U.S. Postal Service. This may include, but is not limited to, the following services:

- United Parcel Service (UPS)
- Federal Express and Federal Express Ground (FedEx)
- Airborne Express
- Local Business Deliveries (pharmacies, hospitals, etc.)

Each institution should have a procedure for receiving and processing packages of this nature, and the mailroom staff should be guided accordingly. However, all institutions should document, in writing, incoming and outgoing packages. This can be accomplished with a standardized form or a logbook.

All packages must be fluoroscope or x-rayed and opened and inspected for contraband before being delivered.

**Contraband**

Contraband means items which are proscribed by criminal law, departmental or facility rules, or posted notices; items for which an individual in custody has no authorization to possess; or individual in custody personal property which is confiscated as in excess of that

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