 Packages
Procedure F: Packages
1. Prisoners may only send packages through the U.S. Postal Service, unless an exception is approved by the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, and processed by the facility. Prisoners may only receive packages through the U.S. Postal Service or other recognized mail delivery service and processed by the facility. A package is any mail that consists of a box, regardless of size, or an envelope larger than 8 1/2" by 11".
2. Packages may only contain items ordered through authorized facility practices or books from publishers or commercial distributors or legal materials from a privileged mail correspondent. A package that does not meet this requirement may be returned to the return address without being opened or may be opened. If the package is opened and there is reasonable suspicion that its contents constitute evidence of criminal activity, violation of the facility’s rules or a risk to the safety of persons, security, or orderly management of the facility, the package and its contents shall be immediately turned over to the facility Correctional Investigator or other designated staff. If there is no reasonable suspicion, the package shall be returned to the sender or, if the return address cannot be determined from the package itself, it shall be disposed of.
3. Mail or other designated staff shall search each incoming package for contraband. A package from a privileged correspondent must be opened and searched in the presence of the prisoner. If contraband is found, it shall be removed and handled in accordance with Procedure A.12.
4. Mail or other designated staff shall forward allowable incoming packages to the facility’s property officer, or other designated staff. The facility’s property officer or other designated staff shall ensure that the package is searched again and that items given to the prisoner are added to the prisoner’s personal property inventory form and that an updated copy of the form is maintained by the Property Officer or other designated staff. Any item that is not given to the prisoner shall be disposed of in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
5. The facility’s property officer, or other designated staff, shall ensure that any items being sent out of the facility by a prisoner belong to that prisoner and are removed from the prisoner’s personal property inventory form and that a copy of the updated inventory form is maintained by the Property Officer, or other designated staff. The package shall not contain contraband. Any package in violation of this requirement shall be handled as set out in Procedure A. 13. (a).
6. The facility's property officer, or other designated staff, shall ensure that an outgoing package is sealed, properly marked with the name of the prisoner, and forwarded to the mail or other designated staff. The prisoner shall complete an address label to be affixed to the package. The package must be stamped with the notice and disclaimer that it is coming from a correctional facility.
7. Mail or designated staff shall ensure proper postage, paid for by the prisoner, is affixed to all packages or return the package to the prisoner. A prisoner sending a package insured shall be provided the necessary forms and be required to pay all additional charges.
8. An incoming package shall be inspected for contraband and distributed to a prisoner within forty-eight (48) hours of its delivery to the facility, excluding weekends and holidays, unless it is being withheld for review under Procedure E.1. or has been turned over to the Correctional Investigator or other designated staff to be secured as evidence. Unless an outgoing package has been turned over to the Correctional Investigator or other designated staff to be secured as evidence, it shall be mailed within forty-eight (48) hours of collection, excluding weekends and holidays, with the exception that if the package is accompanied by a money transfer, it shall be mailed within three (3) business days.
A package shall not be withheld any longer than is necessary for review under Procedure E.1., unless it is secured as evidence. If a prisoner is temporarily out of the facility (e.g. in court or in a hospital), incoming packages shall be held in a secure location until the prisoner’s return.
__________________ The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
William Arthur Ward |