INMATE MAIL

 Section 274.96 of the U.S. Postal Service’s Administrative Support Manual states:  “Authorized personnel of prisons, jails, or other correctional institutions, under rules and regulations promulgated by the institution, may open, examine and censor mail sent from or addressed to an inmate of the institution or jail.  Moreover, once the U.S. Postal Service delivers the mail, it becomes the property of the institution, not the inmate.  It is up to the discretion of the institution as to how mail will be processed.  Outgoing mail is also the property of the institution until it is handed over to the U.S. Postal Service.  Correctional Facility or jails are well within their authority to open, examine and censor outgoing correspondence and packages.

 To send mail to a prisoner in the Lorain County Jail, address it as follows:

Prisoner Name

C/O Lorain County Jail

9896 Murray Ridge Road

Elyria, OH  44035

• Incoming inmate mail will be inspected by the jail staff to check for contraband, money orders, escape plans, or writing that may jeopardize the security and order of the jail.  Inmates may send and receive correspondence only through the U.S. Mail.  No UPS, Fed Ex etc.
• Incoming mail must list full name and address of the sender.

• No mail, notes or messages may be left at the jail lobby.

• Mail received for a prisoner who has been released will be returned to the sender.
• Legal mail is exempt from standard procedures for inspections.  The Housing Officer will open all legal mail in the presence of the inmate to check for contraband.
• Magazines and newspapers will be accepted only if they are sent directly from the publisher.  No books will be accepted.
• Money orders and cashier checks will be accepted through the mail.  DO NOT send cash or personal checks.

RESTRICTED PUBLICATIONS

• Because of inappropriate content, the following lists of magazines are banned from the Lorain County Jail:  Tattoo, Vibe, Arte, TV Notas, Source, Maxim, King, XXL, Easy Rider, Complex, FHM, Low-rider, Stuff and Gamecock.
• All other magazines or periodicals will be censored for inappropriate content before being given to the inmate.

 UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS IN INMATE CORRESPONDENCE

 The following is a list of items that are not accepted into the Lorain County Jail.  The list includes but is not limited to the following:

• Polaroid pictures, stickers, tape, plastic, wood, cloth, glass, ribbon, metal, magnets, staples, paper clips.
• Phone cards, and credit cards
• Nude or partially nude illicit or enticing photos.
• Material containing instructions for the manufacture of explosives, drugs, or other unlawful substances.
• Material advocating racial, religious, or national hatred.
• Material advocating violence within the facility.
• Material advocating and encouraging sexual behavior that is criminal or in violation of the jail rules or detrimental to rehabilitation.
• Material that is pornographic, illicit, erotic and enticing in nature.
• Gang-related material such as signs and/or symbols.
• Materials that contains nudity or is sexually explicit in nature including drawings.
• Perfume sprayed on the envelope or letter.
• Glued contents, clasps, hair ties, rubber bands.
• Profanity on envelopes.
• Music lyrics printed from the internet that are obscene, violent or deemed inappropriate.
• Newspaper clippings, pamphlets, crossword puzzles, writing paper, stamps or envelopes.
• Correspondence sent in bubble envelopes.
• Photocopies of books or magazines will not be accepted.
• Envelopes or pictures larger than 5x7.
• Sweepstakes or contest materials.
• Books
• Food items of any kind.

At the discretion of jail staff, mail or publications containing unauthorized references or material may be refused, confiscated, destroyed, placed in the inmate’s property, or returned to sender.