Alachua County Sheriff's Office

Mail Rules & Regulations

General Mail

There are no limitations on the amount of mail coming in or going out.

Outgoing mail may be opened and inspected to determine if the letters may contain threats of violence, blackmail, extortion, criminal activity, violation of institutional rules, code, and/or information that if communicated would create a clear and present danger of violence and physical harm to some person.

Indigent inmates shall receive postage and stationary. They must have less that $.50 in their account for a period of ten (10) days or more, or have entered the facility with less than $.50.

Legal mail will be brought directly to the inmate to whom it is addressed. The officers will require that inmates open and shake the letter in order to check for contraband.

Mail shall be delivered the same day it is received.

Privileged Mail

Mail or correspondence between an inmate and attorney, legal aid lawyer or agency and other government officials is considered privileged.

Outgoing privileged mail shall not be opened, inspected or censored in any way if it is clearly and properly marked with the name and title of the recipient and the correct return address of the sender.

In-coming mail will be inspected:

All mail received with unauthorized items (contraband), either in the envelope or attached, will be returned to the sender. The items include, but are not limited to, the following: stamps and envelopes, writing paper, greeting cards, blank postcards, loose pages from books or magazines, newspaper clippings, plastic, metal, glue or tape, photographs, sexually suggestive and/or nude pictures, stickers and photocopies.

Only money orders will be entered in the inmate's account. Personal checks will be placed in the inmate's property. Money orders must have your SPN number on it. The SPN number is located on the inmate armband. If the money order does not have the SPN number it will not be accepted.

No material that advocates racial, religious or national hatred, or material that is sexually explicit or not in good taste will be allowed.