Mississippi photocopies all incoming mail statewide. Letters, photos - everything that clears inspection - gets scanned and a color photocopy is delivered to the inmate. The original is held 14 days and then shredded. This system has been in place for some time and is now standard across MDOC facilities.
A few rules here are worth knowing upfront: no hardback books (softcover only, limit of 3 per order), no packages, no stamps or writing materials in the mail (those come from the canteen), and no Polaroid photos. Books have to be pre-paid and come from the publisher, distributor, or vendor.
Walnut Grove Correctional Facility has its own separate policy - it does not accept books or magazines from outside sources at all. More on that below.
Mississippi DOC (MDOC) uses "inmates" throughout its materials.
Sending mail - letters and correspondence
All mail must arrive in a legal or letter envelope. MDOC photocopies all incoming mail that an inmate is permitted to receive, including photographs. The inmate gets a color photocopy that includes a clear image of the original letter and the envelope. Originals are retained for 14 calendar days and then shredded. Staff continue to process publications in accordance with policy.
How to address incoming mail
The envelope must be addressed as follows:
Inmate Name & MDOC Number
Current Housing Unit
Institution/Facility Name
Institution/Facility Address
City, State, ZIP
The return address on incoming mail must include:
Sender's Name
Current Address
City, State, ZIP
Find the inmate's MDOC number, current housing unit, and facility through the inmate search at mdoc.ms.gov/inmate_search.
Outgoing mail return address
All outgoing mail from the inmate must have a complete return address:
Sender's Name & Inmate Number
Current Housing Unit
Institution/Facility Address
City, State, ZIP
Outgoing legal or official mail is sealed by the offender and will not be opened unless a visual or electronic inspection suggests contraband may be inside.
What gets mail rejected
All incoming and outgoing mail is searched for security purposes. Mail is censored only if there is possible evidence of:
- Contraband
- Plans for criminal activity
- Instructions for manufacturing weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol
- Threatened blackmail or extortion
- Coded content not understood by the reader
- Plans for activities in violation of MDOC rules
What cannot be sent
Inmates may not receive:
- Polaroid photos
- Nude or explicitly sexual photos
- Metal, glass, hard plastics, or wooden items
- Money orders, receipts of money orders, or copies of money orders
- Packages
- Cassette tapes, VHS tapes, or CDs
- Hardback books
- Food items, hygiene items, or medical items
- Writing materials or stamps (these must be purchased from the facility canteen)
- Sexually explicit material
Photographs
Photographs may be included in mail. They are photocopied and the inmate receives the color copy. Polaroid photos and nude or explicitly sexual photos are not permitted.
Books, magazines, and newspapers
Books must be softcover, pre-paid, and from the publisher, distributor, or vendor. The order limit is 3 books per order. Hardback books are not permitted.
Subscriptions and newspapers must come directly from the publisher, distributor, or vendor.
Facilities may temporarily suspend third-party vendor deliveries - including Amazon - when contraband is detected through that channel. Suspension stays in place until the situation is resolved.
Pre-paid publications depicting homosexuality (same-sex as the recipient), sadomasochistic acts, penetration of a body orifice, bestiality, or involving children are listed as a specific exception to general publication restrictions - these are subject to rejection.
Special notice - Walnut Grove Correctional Facility: The Walnut Grove Correctional Facility does not accept books or magazines from outside sources or distributors. Materials received will be returned to the sender unless designated as a donation. Donated printed materials will be reviewed for possible admission to the facility library.
Sending money
Two options for deposits to MDOC inmate accounts:
Online: Premier Services at premier.services
In person: Western Union agent locations
No other methods are listed on the official MDOC money page. Money orders, checks, and mailed cash are not accepted.
Phone calls and messaging - ConnectNetwork / ViaPath
MDOC's telephone service provider is ConnectNetwork (ViaPath / Global Tel Link). The same company handles two services:
ConnectNetwork (web.connectnetwork.com): telephone services
ViaPath Global Tel Link (globaltel.com): text and messaging through prison-issued tablets
To set up a new account: call 877-650-4249.
AdvancePay automated service (24 hours): 800-483-8314. Use this to create an account, make a credit card payment, or check a balance.
Business hours for customer service: Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
County facilities: Mississippi has 15 regional county prisons operated under local administrations. Some may not use ConnectNetwork/ViaPath for inmate calls. If the facility or inmate cannot be found through this service, contact the facility directly to ask about their phone provider.
Mississippi county jails
County jails in Mississippi are operated by county sheriffs and are not under MDOC authority. Rules for mail, deposits, and calls at county jails are set by each county. Contact the specific county jail directly.
What to know before you send anything
All mail must be in a legal or letter envelope. Include the inmate's MDOC number, housing unit, facility name and address.
All incoming mail is photocopied; inmates receive color copies. Originals are held 14 days then shredded.
No hardback books, no packages, no stamps or writing materials, no Polaroids, no money orders, no food/hygiene items.
Books: softcover only, pre-paid, 3-book order limit, from publisher/distributor/vendor only.
Walnut Grove CF: no outside books or magazines; donated materials reviewed for library only.
Money: Premier Services online (premier.services) or Western Union in person.
Phone: ConnectNetwork at web.connectnetwork.com or 877-650-4249. Tablets/messaging: ViaPath Global Tel Link (globaltel.com). County jails may use different providers.
Find the inmate: mdoc.ms.gov/inmate_search.
Related pages:
/prisons/mississippi
How to send money to a Mississippi inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to a Mississippi MDOC inmate?
Directly to the facility where they are housed, in a legal or letter envelope. Address it with the inmate's name and MDOC number, their current housing unit, the facility name and address, and the city, state, and ZIP. Include a complete return address. Find the current facility and MDOC number at mdoc.ms.gov/inmate_search.
Will my letter come back to me?
No. Originals are not returned. Mail is photocopied and the inmate receives the copy. Originals are retained for 14 days and then shredded.
Can I send photos?
Yes, included with mail. They are photocopied and the inmate receives a color copy. Polaroid photos and nude or sexually explicit photos are not permitted.
Can I send a book?
Only softcover, pre-paid books, up to 3 per order, sent directly from the publisher, distributor, or vendor. No hardbacks. No Amazon shipments to Walnut Grove CF.
Can I include stamps or paper in my letter?
No. Writing materials, including stamps, must be purchased by the inmate through the facility canteen. Do not include them in mail.
Can I send a package?
No. Packages are not accepted at MDOC facilities.
How do I send money?
Online through Premier Services at premier.services, or in person at a Western Union agent location.
How do I set up phone calls?
Through ConnectNetwork at web.connectnetwork.com, or call 877-650-4249 to set up a new account. For 24-hour AdvancePay automated service, call 800-483-8314. If your person is in a county facility, contact that facility directly to confirm their phone provider. ====================================================================
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