Temporary Mail Rule Changes

Overview

The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) is considering revising its incoming mail rule to better balance institutional safety with the importance of family connection. The current mail rule, which was modified in January 2025, aims to prevent dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine from entering DOC facilities through the mail (OAR 291-131).

While the rule change intended to protect the health and safety of both staff and adults in custody (AICs), DOC has received feedback from families, advocates, and community members who have experienced confusion and frustration over the envelope and paper requirements. These unintended barriers to communication have made it harder for AICs to stay connected to their loved ones—something that research shows is essential to emotional well-being, rehabilitation, and reentry success.

In response, DOC is preparing revisions to improve clarity and accessibility. The updated policy will ease some restrictions, clarify acceptable materials, and be accompanied by a new FAQ to help AICs, families, and staff navigate the changes.

DOC remains committed to creating safe institutions without compromising the rehabilitative power of human connection.

Changes

We have listened to the input you provided to the DOC.Mailroom.Questions@doc.oregon.gov inbox and proposed updates to the mail policy to allow for a broader range of acceptable mail items. This website will be the location where you can keep up with these changes and influence the process with your point of view.

Temporary changes to OAR 291-131 and to our practices include:

• Clarify that envelope paper weight only needs to be "normal", removing the notation about "20-pound paper".
• Clarify that all paper, both envelope and correspondence, should be essentially white. Slightly "off-white" tints will still be allowed -- bearing in mind that the purpose is to allow inspection for contraband, which darkly colored paper prevents. Anything too dark for staff to thoroughly inspect will be rejected.
• Lined white paper for correspondence will be allowed ("school/notebook paper").
• Legal or Official entities (as defined in OAR 291-131-0010) are allowed to send a single self-addressed, pre-postage printed (not a stamp) return envelope for document signature purposes.
• Development of an approved vendors list for publications (this will be considered in the next phase, and is not part of the current recommendations.)

We received feedback regarding some restrictions that we will be unable to change, due to the contraband concern. These items are:

• Security tinting (the light blue/purple printing on the inside of envelopes) cannot be used.
• Greeting cards printed on thick paper, such as cardstock, will not be allowed (you can photocopy them onto normal paper).
• We are still evaulating how to allow for photographs while mitigating the risk of hazardous drugs being embedded in the paper or ink. No decision has been made yet, however this is a significant issue that will need to be addressed.

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