Minnesota changed how it handles mail in November 2024 in a way that affects every family writing to someone inside. Regular letters no longer go to the facility itself. They go to a centralized processing address in Phoenix, Maryland, run by a company called TextBehind. TextBehind scans them, prints color copies, and mails the copies to the facility for delivery. The prisoner gets a color photocopy of the letter.
Two things don't go through TextBehind: books (which go directly to the facility from approved vendors) and magazine subscriptions and catalogs (which also go directly to the facility). And attorney-client privileged mail now has its own separate QR code requirement through a different TextBehind system.
Meanwhile, Minnesota made all DOC phone calls free in July 2023 - one of a small number of states to do this. Families don't need an account or any funds to receive calls.
Minnesota DOC refers to incarcerated people as "incarcerated persons" or "incarcerated individuals" in its materials.
Sending mail - letters and correspondence
All regular (non-legal, non-privileged) mail must go to the TextBehind processing address - not to the facility directly:
First Name / Last Name, and OID
MCF-[facility name where incarcerated person is housed], Minnesota (do not abbreviate Minnesota)
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
The OID is the incarcerated person's identification number. Find it through the incarcerated individual search at mn.gov/doc/family-visitor/search-individuals-fugitives/.
TextBehind processes mail Monday through Friday. Each piece received includes a cover letter summarizing sender and recipient information, the total number of pages, and scanned copies - in color, if appropriate - of the mail contents.
TextBehind does not accept and will return: legal mail, money orders, personal checks, gift cards, and cash.
Un-allowed mail content
For safety and security, mail is rejected that:
- Involves criminal activity
- Is identified as security threat group related
- Requests gifts or money from individuals unrelated to the sender
- Contains photos of staff
- Is coded material
- Contains unsanitary items such as hair, saliva, or body secretions
- Contains certain sexually explicit situations including sexual intercourse, bodily excretory functions, sadism, or bondage
- Contains personal photos displaying nudity
- Advocates for the inferiority of an ethnic, racial, or religious group
Each facility has a Correspondence Review Authority to review denied mail. An incarcerated person may appeal denied mail in writing to the mailroom supervisor within ten working days of receiving the Notice of Non-Delivery, with one subsequent appeal to the Correspondence Review Authority within ten working days of the mailroom supervisor's decision.
Mail forwarding
First class mail and subscriptions are forwarded for 60 days after a transfer or release. After 60 days, or if a forwarding address is unavailable, items are returned to the sender.
Attorney-client privileged mail
Attorney-client privileged mail sent to Minnesota DOC facilities without a verified QR code from TextBehind DOCS will be returned to the sender unopened. The policy was further revised February 11, 2025: incoming attorney-client mail must also have the attorney's name and terms such as "attorney at law" or "law offices" in the return address, along with the QR code. Improperly addressed attorney-client mail is returned to sender.
Attorneys should visit mn.gov/doc for current instructions on the TextBehind DOCS attorney registration process.
Books - approved vendors only, sent direct to facility
Books go directly to the facility - not to the TextBehind address. Books must be sent from approved vendors or approved nonprofit organizations and shipped directly to the facility.
Books ordered from unapproved vendors or organizations will be returned or disposed of according to DOC policy.
Send books to:
Name and OID# (Identification Number)
MCF-[facility name]
[Facility Address]
Approved catalog vendors (as of March 20, 2025 - check mn.gov/doc for current list):
Books N Things: booksnthingswarehouse.com
Hamilton Books: hamiltonbook.com/online_catalogs
Approved direct publishers (books purchased using "buy from other retailers" on their websites will not be allowed):
HarperCollins: harpercollins.com
Hachette Book Group: hachettebookgroup.com
Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com
Simon & Schuster: simonandschuster.com
Approved nonprofit organizations for book donations (incarcerated person requests directly):
Books to Prisoners: bookstoprisoners.net
Midwest Books to Prisoners: midwestbookstoprisoners.org
Prison Book Program: prisonbookprogram.org
Prison Library Project: claremontforum.org
Women's Prison Book Project: wpbp.org
Note: It is better to request genres of interest rather than specific titles, as inventories change.
Magazines and catalogs
Magazine subscriptions and catalogs should be sent directly to the facility address, not to the TextBehind address.
Phone calls - free since July 1, 2023
All calls from Minnesota DOC facilities are free. No account balance or ConnectNetwork AdvancePay account is needed to receive calls from an MN DOC facility.
Calls are placed outbound only - you cannot call into a facility to reach an incarcerated person. When a call comes in, press "0" to accept it.
As of May 14, 2025, all completed calls are subject to a 15-minute wait period before another call can be made (except at MCF-Red Wing). This is to ensure everyone has access to the phones.
Phone service is provided by ViaPath (formerly GTL). If you have funds in an existing ConnectNetwork AdvancePay account and want them returned, call ViaPath customer service at 1-877-650-4249. Closing the AdvancePay account will not prevent you from receiving MN DOC no-cost calls.
Note: If receiving calls from a non-MN DOC facility that uses ViaPath (such as county facilities or out-of-state facilities), a funded AdvancePay account may still be required for those calls.
Email - JPay
Minnesota DOC uses JPay for electronic messaging. Create an account at jpay.com and search for the incarcerated person's facility. JPay messages are subject to staff review; messages violating MDOC policy may be rejected.
JPay support: 800-574-5729.
Sending money - JPay
Personal deposits from friends and family go through JPay.
Online: jpay.com
Phone: 800-574-5729
Lockbox (money orders and cashier's checks, no charge): Make payable to JPay and include a completed money order deposit form. Mail to:
JPay
PO Box 246450
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
A cost of confinement surcharge and, if applicable, a restitution surcharge will be deducted from funds received. Funds received from prohibited sources (such as another incarcerated person or someone still on supervision) will be placed in a HOLD account until release and are subject to deductions.
Note: DOC staff cannot provide information to friends and family about an incarcerated person's financial transactions.
All other payments (government and business checks, tribal distributions, vendor refunds, and payments enclosed with legal or special mail) must be addressed directly to the incarcerated person's facility address. Money orders and cashier's checks will not be accepted at a facility address.
What to know before you send anything
Regular letters go to the TextBehind address in Phoenix, MD - not to the facility. Include the full name, OID, and "MCF-[facility name], Minnesota" (spelled out).
TextBehind does not accept legal mail, money orders, personal checks, gift cards, or cash.
Books go directly to the facility from approved vendors or publishers only. Check mn.gov/doc for the current approved vendor list.
Magazines and catalogs go directly to the facility.
Attorney mail requires a TextBehind DOCS QR code and attorney name/credentials in the return address. No QR code = returned unopened.
Phone calls are FREE. No account or balance needed. Press "0" to accept. 15-minute wait between calls (except MCF-Red Wing).
Email: JPay at jpay.com; 800-574-5729.
Money: JPay at jpay.com; or money order lockbox to PO Box 246450, Pembroke Pines FL 33024 with deposit form.
Find incarcerated person: mn.gov/doc/family-visitor/search-individuals-fugitives/
Related pages:
/prisons/minnesota
How to send money to a Minnesota inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to a Minnesota DOC inmate?
To the TextBehind processing address - not to the facility. The address is: [First Name / Last Name, and OID] / MCF-[facility name], Minnesota / P.O. Box 247 / Phoenix, MD 21131. TextBehind scans the letter and mails a color copy to the facility.
What is the OID and where do I find it?
The OID is the incarcerated person's identification number assigned by MN DOC. Find it through the incarcerated individual search at mn.gov/doc/family-visitor/search-individuals-fugitives/.
When did Minnesota start using TextBehind?
Effective November 1, 2024, for all regular (non-legal, non-privileged) mail.
Does TextBehind accept money orders or cash with the letter?
No. TextBehind does not accept legal mail, money orders, personal checks, gift cards, or cash - these items will be returned to the sender.
How do I send a book?
Send directly to the facility from an approved vendor or publisher - not to the TextBehind address. See the approved vendor list at mn.gov/doc. As of early 2025, approved vendors include Books N Things and Hamilton Books; approved publishers include HarperCollins, Hachette, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster.
How do I send a magazine subscription?
Directly to the facility - not to the TextBehind address.
How do attorney-client letters work now?
Attorneys must use the TextBehind DOCS system to obtain a QR code for each envelope of privileged mail. The envelope must also show the attorney's name and "attorney at law" or "law offices" in the return address. Mail without a valid QR code is returned unopened.
Are phone calls really free?
Yes. Since July 1, 2023, all calls from Minnesota DOC facilities are free. No account balance is needed. When the call comes in, press "0" to accept. A 15-minute wait applies between completed calls at most facilities.
How do I send money?
Through JPay at jpay.com or by mailing a money order (payable to JPay) with a completed deposit form to PO Box 246450, Pembroke Pines FL 33024. ====================================================================
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