From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: Aug 03, 2010

Summary:

Sheriff Dotson announces changes to inmate personal mail procedures effective September 1, 2010. All outgoing and incoming social mail to and from inmates of the Lincoln County Jail will only be allowed in postcard form. Sheriff Dotson stated “this change makes good economic sense, and will also enhance the overall jail safety and security”.

Outgoing mail: Upon being lodged in jail, each inmate will be provided a postcard with pre-paid postage. This will be included in a pack containing other hygiene items and the inmate will subsequently be charged for the pack. All inmates receive such a pack even if they have no funds available. Additional postcards will be available for purchase.

Incoming mail: Inmates may receive postcards of any size the post office delivers, with the maximum allowable dimensions of 5 ½ inches by 8 ½ inches.

Until now, inmates have been allowed to correspond with family and friends extensively via letters, photos and drawings. With the exception of legal correspondence, jail deputies scan inmate correspondence for compliance with jail restrictions designed to prevent contact with victims, inappropriate content and contraband items.

The mail process is time consuming and costly. By converting to a postcard only system for social mail, much of the contraband content will not be sent.

Lincoln County Jail inmates will still be allowed to receive legal mail and money in envelopes. Money must be in the form of cash, money orders or official checks from the bank.

Sheriff Dotson is proud of the collaboration of many Oregon Jail Managers and Sheriff’s, as they found a solution that will streamline the mail process, improve jail security and public safety, and stretch the value of the taxpayers dollar.

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