Mail

Postcard of Joseph Meek with link to Inmate Mail Guide

Inmates may only receive personal mail in postcard form.  Please read all the instructions below carefully or your mailed item will be returned to you.

If you need to communicate something extremely personal to an inmate that you do not want to write on a postcard, such as medical or other intimate information, you have the option of talking with the inmate on the telephone or visiting them in person.  You may also contact a jail command officer as noted at the bottom of this page.

 

Sending Mail to an Inmate

Anyone can send mail to an inmate with some restrictions. We will not accept mail from -

 

  • An inmate in another corrections-monitored facility or treatment center.

  • Someone who is acting as a go-between for inmates by taking mail received from one inmate and sending it to another inmate.

  • A victim of a crime that the inmate is in custody for either in pretrial or sentenced status.

 

On a case-by-case basis, a jail command officer may impose restrictions on who an inmate may correspond with on a personal basis.

 

Inmate Mail Delivery - USPS Only

We only allow inmates to receive mail sent through the US Postal Service. We do not accept hand, courier, or commercial-mail-service delivered mail. We will not accept mail with postage due.

 

Addressing Mail to Inmates

Clearly write the inmate's complete name. Do not use nicknames. If you know the inmate's middle name or initial and booking number, please include those. Send mail to this address:

 

Inmate's name, Booking number

Washington County Jail

215 SW Adams Avenue, MS 33

Hillsboro, OR 97123-3874

 

Be sure to put your return full name and address on the mail! We will not deliver or hold mail for an inmate if it is missing a return address or the full name of the sender.

 

Please hand write your return address rather than using gummed or adhesive labels. We remove such labels from mail before giving it to the inmate. Without a return address, the inmate may not be able to write to you because he or she will not know your address.

 

Do not place any stickers or non-postal related stamps on the mail or add a "lipstick" kiss. Do not spray mail with perfume.

 

Allowable Mail

  • Postcards for Personal Mail - Postcards may be any size the post office delivers, with maximum dimensions of 5-1/2 inches tall by 8-1/2 inches wide.  Postcards must include the sender's name and address. 

  • Legal or personal-business documents.

  • Books (limit of three per day) - Books must be ordered and sent directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore and must have the bookseller's address imprinted on the package or mailing label; you may not send books directly to an inmate.  Books must not have a plastic or metal binding.  Books may be up to 9 by 12 inches in size, may be new or used, and can be either hardcover or paperback, although paperback is preferable.  Inmates in segregation may only receive new, paperback books. 

  • Periodicals (limit of two per day) - Magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals must be new and sent directly from the publisher or a bookstore.  Caution: Periodicals with scantily clad people may be considered sexually explicit and thus be prohibited. Periodicals may also be prohibited if they violate other jail rules.  If we prohibit an item, we will provide notice to the sender and an opportunity to appeal that decision.

  • Money for the inmate's account - Visit inmate accounts to learn the acceptable form, source, and amounts to send.

 

Do Not Send Contraband Items

Contraband is anything jail staff does not allow an inmate to have unless they authorize it.  It's anything not specifically approved for mailing under "Allowable Mail." Commonly mailed contraband items are --

 

  • Personal letters and correspondence in envelopes.  You must use postcards as listed above.

  • Drugs (legal or illegal)

  • Over-the-counter medications

  • Glasses and contact lenses

  • Bookmarks, postage stamps, stationery, writing or drawing materials, and paper clips

  • Maps

  • Transportation schedules, such as bus or train

  • Stickers, tape and decals

  • Cosmetic, hair care, and hygiene items

  • Food and clothing

  • ID, phone, gift, or any other plastic card

  • Locks of hair and ribbons

  • Cigarettes, matches, and lighters

  • Dried or pressed flowers

  • Coupons, lottery tickets, and Tri-Met tickets

  • Compact discs and cassette tapes

  • Items that exceed approved limits

  • Items from a source that is not approved

  • Foreign substances, such as bodily fluids, lipstick, perfume, glitter, glue, and anything with unusual stains or odors

We also prohibit items with contraband content.  This includes content, either as words or pictures, that may threaten the safety, security, and good order of the jail or may be detrimental to an inmate's rehabilitation.  Examples include content that:

 

  • Threatens, plans, encourages, instructs in activity that is criminal or violates jail rules

  • Could result in physical harm to anyone

  • Is gang-related material

  • Is sexually explicit material (This is the most common reason for confiscating an item based on content. Be careful what you send!)

  • Is inflammatory material (This can include anything that incites or advocates physical violence against others or the supremacy or hatred of a class or group of people.)

  • Is code or suspected code (This can include a foreign language if we are unable to find a translator in a reasonable period of time.)

  • Is fraudulently marked as legal or official mail

 

All Mail is Inspected

All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to opening and inspection by jail staff.

 

How We Deal with Contraband Mail

One of four things will happen if we find contraband in your mail:

  1. We will return it to you.

  2. We will confiscate it and not let the inmate have access to it while lodged.

  3. We will destroy it if it presents a health or safety hazard.

  4. We will confiscate it as evidence in a criminal investigation.

 

If we determine that we cannot deliver your mail to the inmate, we will notify you (remember to always include your RETURN ADDRESS) and provide an opportunity to appeal that decision.  

 

Introduction of contraband into a correctional facility is a Class C felony under ORS 162.185 and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

 

Do Not Call to Confirm Delivery

It is the inmate's responsibility to contact you to let you know they received something you mailed. Write to the inmate if you want to confirm delivery of an item you sent to him or her.

 

Who Can I Contact About Inmate Mail

For general questions, please call (503) 846-2600.

 

If you have a concern about inmate mail or our practices, you can contact a jail command officer by calling (503) 846-2482, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., via e-mail, or by sending a letter to: 

 

Jail Command Officer

Washington County Jail

215 SW Adams Avenue, MS 32

Hillsboro, OR 97123-3874