NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) will transition all inmate personal mail from physical mail to scanned and digitized mail beginning in November.
“Mail from family, friends and loved ones will be received at an off-site centralized facility, where it will be processed, scanned and delivered in digital format to inmates via their TDOC-issued tablets,” the department said. “This new process aims to reduce contraband and increase security, while providing faster, more reliable mail to inmates.”
TDOC said personal mail, drawings and other personalizations will be included in the digital format, adding that mail will be delivered at no cost to the inmate and that inmates will have access to their mail during their incarceration.
People who send mail to inmates will be able to track the status of their mail and will be notified if a letter or package is rejected, TDOC said.
Beginning November 3, all mail sent to Tennessee inmates must be sent to the following address:
Facility name
Name and surname of the inmate
TDOC Identification Number
PO Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
The TDOC said privileged mail, such as that from attorneys, court clerks, legal aid clinics or government officials or agencies, will not be affected by the transition and should still be sent directly to any facility housing the inmate.
The department said outgoing mail sent by inmates will not be affected.