Incoming Routine Mail

• Effective June 21, 2021, for the safety and security of staff, vendors, volunteers, and inmates, the Broward Sheriff's Office Department of Detention went to a postcard-only routine incoming mail system. Envelopes and personal letters are no longer allowed to be mailed in for inmates. These incoming mail procedures only apply to routine mail, and do not affect legal/privileged mail.

• All routine incoming mail must be in the form of an acceptable pre-stamped postcard. Any mail not meeting acceptable criteria will be returned to the postal service to be handled as per their rules and regulations. Descriptions of acceptable and unacceptable postcard forms are as follows:
  
• Acceptable postcard forms: Postcards must be pre-stamped and at least 3 ½ x 5 inches. The maximum size allowed shall be no larger than 4 ¼ x 6 inches. Writing must be in blue or black ink.
  
• Unacceptable postcard forms: Defaced or altered cards; plastic or wrappings on the cards; postcards marked with paint, crayons, watermarks, or stains; postcards with any biohazards to include lipstick or perfumes; postcards depicting nudity; explicit images of sexual activity, suggestive content, weapons, coded messages, or gang references; money, labels, or stickers attached to the postcard; images or the likeness of the recipient inmate or other inmate(s); oversized postcards; fold over multi-layered postcards; and imprinted holograms onto postcards.
  
• All photos mailed in must be printed on the actual postcards. Photos attached (glued, stapled, paper clipped, etc.) to a postcard in any way will not be accepted.
  
• Other mail procedures will continue to remain in effect, to include, privileged mail, certified mail, rejection of mail procedures, and returned mail procedures.
  

PRIVILEGED MAIL

• Privileged Mail: Privileged mail means all mail clearly marked “Legal” or “Privileged” that is either addressed to or received from the following persons and organizations: courts, attorneys, officials of the confining authority, state and local chief executive officers or government officials, administrators of grievance systems, and members of the paroling authority.
  

Outgoing Mail

• Additionally, effective Monday, June 21, 2021, routine outgoing mail procedures were revised. Inmates will only utilize postcards/greeting cards purchased from or obtained through commissary for outgoing routine mail purposes.

Envelopes purchased or obtained through commissary will only be utilized for outgoing legal/privileged mail.

Guidelines for Inmate Mail:

• Incoming mail is delivered to inmates Monday through Friday.
• All incoming mail is opened and searched for security threats and contraband (such as money, checks, inappropriate photos, matches, lighters, cigarettes, jewelry, chewing gum, etc.).
• Mail sent by legal representatives is opened only in the presence of the inmate addressee.
• Inmates may receive letters and cards.
• Do not send cash or personal checks through the mail. Money in any form is contraband and will not be delivered to the inmate.
• Unauthorized items mailed to an inmate will be placed in the property room, returned to sender, or disposed of, as appropriate.
• Inmate mail must be addressed as follows and should reflect the appropriate mailing address for the facility:

• Inmate's full name
• Inmate's arrest number
• Facility's mailing address

BSO Jail Facilities and Mailing Addresses