Scanned Mail

DOC is moving to scanned mail: what you need to know

We are getting ready to change how personal mail is handled. Most mail will be scanned and delivered to tablets. This will make mail faster and safer for everyone.

Before the change

  • Every Adult in Custody (AIC) will get a tablet.
  • We will test the tablets and make sure they work the way they should.
  • Our goal is simple: every AIC must be able to open and read their mail.

What will not change

  • AICs will still receive Legal Mail.
  • AICs will still receive books, magazines, and newspapers.
  • If a document needs a signature or a notary, we will have clear steps so it can still be done.

During the transition

  • AICs will get the timetable in the AIC newsletters.
  • Friends and Family will see updates on the DOC website, on this Engagement page, on DOC social media, and through the Visiting Alerts system.
  • The change will not be sudden. We will give plenty of warning and a short grace period to adjust.

After the transition

  • Senders will address mail to a central scanning facility. Scanning will not happen at local prisons.
  • The envelope and all items inside will be scanned.
  • Many rules made to stop drug smuggling—such as “white envelopes only” and “no greeting cards”—will be removed from the rule.

What do senders need to do differently?

  • The only major change is the new mailing address. All AIC personal mail will go to the same scanning address, no matter which facility the AIC is in.
  • We will publish that address as we get closer to implementation

What do attorneys and courts need to do?

How soon will this happen?

  • Current estimates are in the spring of 2027. That estimate may change based on a large number of variables, such as the installation of the infrastructure (wifi routers and servers), and the delivery of the tablets from the vendor.

Is the "scanned mail only" concept new?

  • No. Many states have already transitioned to scanned mail. We know of 16 states that already use a scanned mail system such as this, and seven additional states that make a local photocopy of all mail.

DOC is moving to scanned mail: what you need to know

We are getting ready to change how personal mail is handled. Most mail will be scanned and delivered to tablets. This will make mail faster and safer for everyone.

Before the change

  • Every Adult in Custody (AIC) will get a tablet.
  • We will test the tablets and make sure they work the way they should.
  • Our goal is simple: every AIC must be able to open and read their mail.

What will not change

  • AICs will still receive Legal Mail.
  • AICs will still receive books, magazines, and newspapers.
  • If a document needs a signature or a notary, we will have clear steps so it can still be done.

During the transition

  • AICs will get the timetable in the AIC newsletters.
  • Friends and Family will see updates on the DOC website, on this Engagement page, on DOC social media, and through the Visiting Alerts system.
  • The change will not be sudden. We will give plenty of warning and a short grace period to adjust.

After the transition

  • Senders will address mail to a central scanning facility. Scanning will not happen at local prisons.
  • The envelope and all items inside will be scanned.
  • Many rules made to stop drug smuggling—such as “white envelopes only” and “no greeting cards”—will be removed from the rule.

What do senders need to do differently?

  • The only major change is the new mailing address. All AIC personal mail will go to the same scanning address, no matter which facility the AIC is in.
  • We will publish that address as we get closer to implementation

What do attorneys and courts need to do?

How soon will this happen?

  • Current estimates are in the spring of 2027. That estimate may change based on a large number of variables, such as the installation of the infrastructure (wifi routers and servers), and the delivery of the tablets from the vendor.

Is the "scanned mail only" concept new?

  • No. Many states have already transitioned to scanned mail. We know of 16 states that already use a scanned mail system such as this, and seven additional states that make a local photocopy of all mail.

Have Questions about the Transition to Scanned Mail?

Keep in mind that we are not yet at the point of transitioning to scanned mail -- and some of the specific details are still under negotiation with the vendor.  This page will be updated as we finalize services.

If your question pertains more to the tablets and how they function, please visit the Tablet Deployment page, here.

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Page last updated: 05 Oct 2026, 01:03 PM