The MN Department of Corrections is implementing a new mail delivery system to stop contraband

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is now using a new mail delivery system designed to prevent drugs and contraband from entering facilities.

What we know

DOC officials say they are implementing the change to secure prisons and jails in the state following several incidents involving contraband narcotics.

During mail delivery, mail addressed to an incarcerated person is scanned and printed.

This is done through a service called TextBehind, which allows inmates to stay connected to the outside world without exposing correctional officers to the risk of handling contraband, particularly narcotics.

Items such as legal mail, money orders, personal checks, gift cards or cash will not be accepted and will be returned to sender.

Officials say attorney-client confidential mail will be handled through TextBehind DOCS and, beginning Dec. 2, any attorney-client confidential mail sent directly to DOC facilities through the Postal Service will be returned to sender.

Emails that contain criminal activity or threats, contain photos of employees, are encrypted material, contain unsanitary or physical substances, or sexually explicit material will be rejected.

You can object to rejected mail in writing to the post office manager.

How it works

The postal management system receives mail through a post office box before processing and sending the mail to the correctional facility for distribution.

The company says that each post will be accompanied by a cover letter with a summary of the sender and recipient information, the total number of pages, and scanned copies of the post's contents.

The service operates Monday to Friday.

The DOC says anyone wishing to send mail to an incarcerated person must include the following information on the envelope:

First name/last name and OID
MCF Facility Name, Minnesota (do not abbreviate Minnesota)
PO Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

background

The DOC is taking these steps following several incidents involving controlled substances entering correctional facilities.

One of the incidents led to a prison being placed on lockdown and nine prison staff members being hospitalized.

The death of an imprisoned man earlier this year is also believed to be related to drug use.