What can I mail to an inmate?

Postcards delivered by the US Postal Service. Postcards may be any size the post office delivers, with maximum dimensions of 4-1/4 inches tall by 6 inches wide.  Postcards must include your name and return address.   

Books

Books must be ordered and sent directly from the publisher. (You may not send books directly to an inmate.) The publisher’s address must be imprinted on the package or mailing label. Books may be up to 9 by 12 inches in size. They must not have a plastic or metal binding. Hardbound books are not allowed. All books received by mail will become property of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office upon an inmate's release from the Jackson County Jail.

How can I send the mail?

We only allow inmates to receive mail sent through the US Postal Service.  We do not accept hand, courier, or commercially delivered mail.  We will not accept mail with postage due.

Do you open and inspect mail?

All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to opening and inspection by jail staff. 

Items with Contraband or Inappropriate Content

This includes mail with inappropriate words or images. Contraband content is anything that may threaten the safety, security or good order of the jail. This includes content that—

• Threatens, plans, encourages, instructs in activity that is criminal, or violates jail rules
• Could result in physical harm to anyone
• Is gang-related material
• Is sexually explicit material
• Is inflammatory material - anything that incites or advocates physical violence, supremacy or hatred of a class or group of people
• Is code or suspected code
• Is in a foreign language that we are unable to translate in a timely manner
• Is fraudulently marked as legal or official mail
• Contains stickers, decals, plastic coating, tape or glue
• Foreign substances, such as bodily fluids, lipstick, perfume, glitter, glue, paint, and anything with unusual stains or odors

What happens if I mail contraband?

One of four things will happen if we find contraband in your mail:

• We will return it to you.
• We will confiscate it and not let the inmate have access to it until they are released from custody.
• We will destroy it if it presents a health or safety hazard.
• We will confiscate it as evidence in a criminal investigation.

Depending on the degree of contraband violation, a jail command officer may restrict any future correspondence you have with an inmate. 

How do I send money to an inmate?

You may send cashier’s checks and money orders for credit to an inmate’s account by mail.   You may send cash, but we do not recommend it. We will not accept payroll, personal, business, or two-party checks. We will not deliver any letter or note to the inmate that you enclose with money.  All social correspondence will be in postcard form. Address the envelope to:

Jackson County Jail
ATTN: Admin Assistant
787 W. 8^th Street
Medford, OR 97501

Make money orders payable to “Jackson County Jail for (insert inmate’s name)”

Can I send photographs to an inmate?

Inmates may only receive the photographs on the picture side of postcards that are mailed individually through the US Postal Service.  Inappropriate pictures or photos glued to postcards will cause your mail to be rejected.  

 
Who can send mail to an inmate?

Anyone can send mail to an inmate with some restrictions. We will not accept mail from—

• An inmate in another corrections-monitored facility or treatment center. 
• A victim of a crime that the inmate is in custody for either in pretrial or sentenced status.
• A person acting as a go-between for inmates by redirecting mail between two or more people to undermine jail rules

In certain circumstances, a jail command officer may further restrict an inmate’s personal correspondence with certain people.

How do I address the mail?

Clearly write the inmate’s complete name. Do not use nicknames. If you know the inmate’s middle name or initial and booking number, please include those. Send mail to this address:

Inmate’s Name

Jackson County Jail

787 W. 8^th Street

Medford, OR 97501

Include your return name and address on the postcard!  We will not deliver nor hold inmate mail that is missing a return address.  Please handwrite your return address rather than using gummed or adhesive labels. We remove labels from mail before giving it to the inmate. Without a return address, the inmate may not be able to write to you because he or she will not know your address.

Who can answer my questions?

You can call the jail at (541) 774-6850, if you have a question about inmate mail.

May I call to confirm delivery of an item?

No, it is the inmate’s responsibility to contact you to let you know they received something you mailed.  You may send a postcard to the inmate if you want to confirm delivery of an item.

Who can discuss a complaint with me about inmate mail?

You can contact a jail representative by calling (541) 774-6850, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. if you have a complaint about inmate mail.

You can write to the Jail Commander at the address below:

Jail Commander

Jackson County Jail

787 W. 8^th Street

Medford, OR 97501