Acceptable Items

Acceptable items for U.S. Mail delivery to inmates include:

• Books
  • Cannot be sent directly from an individual
  • New paperback books or magazines may be shipped directly from the publisher, distributor, bookstore or internet bookseller - Limit of three at a time
  • No hardback, used books, magazines, spiral-bound books or literature allowed

• Cashier's checks (inmate accounts are not to exceed $400)
• Legal mail between attorney or court and inmate
• Letters
• Money orders
• Newspaper clippings
• Photographs
• Written documents forwarded for signature

Reasons for Rejection

The following is a list of items and reasons why mail would be returned to sender:

• Address labels / stickers / post-it notes
• Blank cards, paper and postcards
• Bubble wrap /cardboard / coupons and gambling items
• Cash or personal checks
• Colored ink; only letters written in black ink are accepted
• Excessive puzzle or coloring pages (limit 10 per envelope)
• Food items
• Glued items, glitter, gel pens, metallic ink, confetti, excessive ink, marker or paint
• Laminated items, musical cards, manila envelopes, Tyvek envelopes
• Lipstick, perfume, cologne or scented items
• No color paper or envelopes (white paper only) or on greeting cards
• Plastic, laminated items, metal items, paper clips, staples or metal clasps
• Polaroid pictures with backings
• Racist or other inflammatory materials, including gang symbols and hand gestures
• Sexually explicit materials; nude / semi-nude photos, including babies and children
• Stamps, stamped items, paper, envelopes - inmates must purchase from commissary
• String, ribbon, confetti, white out, tape (clear tape only)
• Three-book limit exceeded
• Tobacco or tobacco products
• Unauthorized inmate to inmate correspondence
• Unknown substances on paper, envelopes, photos, foil or foil-lined envelopes
• Unsigned, incomplete or altered money orders

For More Information

Contact Custody at (253) 798-4590 or (253) 798-4668 if you have any questions regarding these rules.