Minnesota Department Of Corrections issued the following announcement on Sep. 29.
The MN DOC has seen an increase in contraband coming into correctional facilities. Some of this contraband includes harmful material such as drugs that are mailed within or even on mailed items. The health and safety of the department’s staff, incarcerated people, and community members are the top priority of the agency. The MN DOC continually evaluates and introduces new ways to improve the safety of everyone at our facilities. As part of this effort, the department will conduct a pilot program of the mail delivery process within several of our facilities over a six-month period, beginning October 12.
During this temporary program, there may be differences in mail delivery methods, including copying of mail, restricting items coming in, and providing copies of mailed items to incarcerated people, among other methods to study the reduction of contraband coming into a facility. Mail is a vitally important connection point for people with their family and friends, so this pilot program intends to continue mail procedures with an enhanced focus on safety.
The department’s Policy 302.020 Mail is still applicable. The only changes an incarcerated person may encounter during this temporary pilot program is in the delivery method of their mail. If an incarcerated person receives a copy of incoming mail, the MN DOC will retain the original mail for 30 calendar days, however, there will be no option to appeal to receive the original. This timeframe will be used to investigate any questions, discrepancies, or appeals of non-deliveries that arise. The original items may be returned to the sender within the 30-day retention period at the recipient’s expense. If no action is taken within the 30-day retention period, the item(s) will be disposed of.
The safety of everyone and the reduction of dangerous contraband into our facilities is the biggest goal of these changes to the mail delivery process. The findings of this pilot program will be used to inform any future changes in mail delivery, policies, and other agency procedures. To anyone sending mail during this study period, thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
For information on how to send mail, visit: https://mn.gov/doc/family-visitor/send/how-send-mail/
Original source can be found here.
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