Attorney and Court Resources

OAR 291-131 provides the requirements for Legal and Official Mail.         

What is "Legal Mail"?

OAR 291-131-0010(17) Incoming or outgoing mail to or from an attorney, court, or court official which is clearly worded "legal mail" on the addressee side of the envelope. The legal mail designation should be set apart from the return address and mailing address for ease of recognition.          

What is "Official Mail"?

OAR 291-131-0010(21) Incoming and outgoing mail addressed to Department of Corrections officials, the Governor, the Secretary of State, Oregon's state legislators, Oregon's United States Congressional delegation, tribal governments, administrators of grievance systems, foreign embassy consulate, members of the paroling authority, sexual abuse advocacy programs, and Oregon's designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) System, that is clearly worded "official mail" on the addressee side of the envelope. The official mail designation should be set apart from the return address and mailing address for ease of recognition.          

Who May Send Legal or Official Mail

Qualified senders include attorneys, courts, and legal representatives who meet DOC's requirements for sending Legal Mail or Official Mail as defined in OAR 291-131 . Before sending mail, eligible senders should authenticate their identity and receive approval through DOC's authentication system. While not mandatory, it will expedite the inspection process.          

Authenticated Sender Process

This process is optional, but it will assist in getting your mail to the AIC faster.          

Step one: Request for Authentication          

Complete this step first. It is a one-time setup. Your information will be verified to ensure that you meet the OAR requirements for sending "Legal Mail" or "Official Mail." You will receive a verification email within 48 hours. If you have multiple people in your office that will be sending mail, each person (each unique email address) will need to submit this initial request.          

Step two: Request to Send a Piece of Mail          

This step will be repeated by the authenticated sender for each piece of mail that is sent. Upon completing this simple form, the authenticated sender will receive an email (almost immediately) that includes a unique eight-digit code that should be written on the envelope.          

Required Labeling

Mail must clearly bear the words "LEGAL MAIL" or "OFFICIAL MAIL" on the addressee side of the envelope, separated from both the return and mailing addresses. This must be large enough for easy recognition by facility mailroom staff. If using the authentication system, include the unique ID code that was emailed to you.          

Envelopes and Content Restrictions

• You are not limited to paper/envelope color – you may continue to use manila envelopes. White envelopes are preferred but not required.
• Envelopes/packages can be up to three inches thick. Anything thicker will require a Package Authorization form approved by the superintendent.
• "Legal Mail" should be written on the front of the envelope, set apart from the address blocks.
• The return address must include the attorney's name.
• The AIC's name and SID# must be clearly written or printed on the front of the envelope.
• No "personal" correspondence should be included.
• A single, self-addressed, postage-paid return envelope is allowed. The return envelope must be completely white, both inside and out.
• Legal Mail will be opened and inspected for contraband in the presence of the AIC.

Processing Rules

• Properly marked legal/official mail is opened in the presence of the AIC, checked for contraband, and not read or photocopied except under specific authorized circumstances.
• If mail lacks correct labeling, it will be processed as ordinary mail and may be inspected outside the AIC's presence.

Mailing Non-Paper Legal Materials

Anything beyond paper materials must be routed to and secured in the facility Law Library. When sending such legal material, form CD1765 must be included.          

Attorneys and legal representatives may occasionally need to send non-paper discovery materials—such as CDs or DVDs—to an Adult in Custody (AIC) for litigation preparation. Because AICs cannot possess digital media in their cells, these items are stored and accessed through the facility Law Library.          

Proper Addressing and Documentation

• The AIC's full name
• SID number
• Clear indication that the item is intended for the Law Library

Storage & Access

• CDs/DVDs are not kept by the AIC.
• Items are stored securely in the Law Library.
• Access is granted according to library procedures and callouts.
• Materials may only be used within the library under staff oversight.

Important Notes

• Everything remains subject to DOC contraband screening.
• Any item not meeting authorization or security requirements will be returned to sender.
• If the material includes sensitive legal information, Law Library staff ensure it is handled according to DOC confidentiality requirements.

Graphic Photographs

Photographs are allowed to be sent directly to the AIC through the Legal Mail process or the general correspondence process. However, if the photographs are graphic in nature, such material may be turned over to the Law Library for secure storage and access.          

For additional questions not answered in this section, contact the Law Library Coordinator at the facility.          

Not all mail from attorneys needs to be sent as "Legal Mail." Processing Legal Mail is a resource-consuming, one-on-one process, especially at the larger facilities. Attorneys are able to send mail as general correspondence, without expectation of privilege and without using the Legal Mail authentication system.          

For additional questions not answered in this section, contact DOC.Mailroom.Questions@doc.oregon.gov .          

OAR 291-131-0026(2)(c) All electronic messages will be subject to regular mail inspection and examination. No electronic message will be afforded special processing by department employees as Legal Mail or Official Mail.          

Scheduling Requirements

Professional visits, including attorney visits, must be scheduled in advance with the facility's Superintendent or designated office. Provide:          

• AIC name and SID number
• Names of all attending professionals
• Proposed date/time
• Any request to bring electronic devices or materials (may require written justification)

Identification Requirements

At check-in, visitors must present appropriate credentials:         

• Attorneys should present their bar card and valid picture ID (driver's license).
• DHS workers should present their agency ID card and driver's license.
• Law clerks should present a driver's license and letter of introduction from their employer.

Rules & Restrictions

• Only one AIC may be visited at a time unless pre-authorized.
• Electronic items (computers, recorders, testing materials) require prior approval.
• All items brought in are subject to contraband search.
• All professional visitors undergo background checks.

Attorneys and representatives from other criminal justice, state or local agencies may be permitted to bring necessary documents or paperwork into the visiting area for exchange with the AIC with prior approval. No more than a ¼" of paper is allowed to be exchanged with an AIC during a legal visit. All articles will be searched for contraband. No other items are permitted to be exchanged with an AIC.          

Professional visitors are expected to follow the same rules as general visitors as outlined in the Rules on Visiting . No blue denim or AIC-like attire is allowed to be worn by visitors. For the safety and security of everyone it is recommended that visitors avoid wearing any blue clothing. Please keep all metal to a minimum as the metal detector is sensitive. If your clothing is determined to resemble AIC-like attire or you cannot pass the metal detector, you will not be allowed access into the facility.          

Facility-specific professional visiting contacts are listed below.          

How to Request a Privileged Telephone Call

DOC uses a standardized process for arranging attorney-client privileged calls when requested by the attorney. AICs who wish to initiate a call with their attorney may do so using the unit phones. Attorneys may schedule calls using the DOC Legal Call Request Form.          

📞 Request a Legal Call          

Privileged Call Conditions

• Calls from AICs to numbers listed on the DOC Legal Call List (Oregon Bar registered numbers) are not monitored or recorded.
• For out-of-state attorneys, please contact us at ICS-CorrectionsHelp@doc.oregon.gov to have your number temporarily added.

Emergency Attorney Calls

Emergency calls occur only when a counselor determines no other timely communication is possible; these are rare.          

Requesting a Privileged Video Visit

Video calls are not privileged.          

For additional questions not answered in this section, please see the contacts below for the specific facility you need.          

General (non-legal) calls may still reach attorneys but are treated as standard monitored calls unless the number is on the DOC Legal Call List, which is based on the Oregon State Bar-registered numbers.          

Attorneys will need to go through the validation process (currently ICSolutions ) before an AIC is able to call that number.          

Examples of Non-Privileged Attorney Calls

• AICs dialing attorney numbers that are not in the Bar registry, such as cell phone numbers.
• Calls involving forwarding or three-way connections, which are prohibited.

In-Person Service

To ensure consistency and security across all institutions statewide, in-person service of legal documents must now be completed exclusively by the Sheriff's Office in the county where the adult in custody (AIC) is housed.          

This change applies only to in-person service. DOC will continue to accept other legally recognized methods of service that do not require entry into a DOC facility, consistent with applicable laws and administrative rules.          

Individuals or entities seeking to serve legal documents should consult their own legal counsel or other legal resources regarding acceptable methods of service.          

For additional questions not answered in this section, contact the facility directly.          

Notary services for the notarizing of legal documents will be provided to AICs when necessary, without charge in accordance with posted schedules.          

For additional questions not answered in this section, contact the Legal Library Coordinator at the facility.          

The institution Law Libraries are open by appointment. AICs may request to visit the Law Library by submitting a CD1714 Law Library Request Form. AICs in Special Housing may not physically utilize the institution Law Library but may submit a CD1760 Special Housing Law Library Request Form to receive satellite services.          

DOC Library Coordinators provide AICs with access to legal and library services in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, and the department's Access to Justice responsibilities. They provide AICs with the means to challenge their conviction, sentencing, and conditions of confinement as well as general legal issues on a prioritized basis.          

Legal callouts and usage of the Law Library are scheduled on a prioritized basis, depending on case type and deadline status:          

• Priority legal users with an imminent court deadline
• General legal users with an imminent court deadline
• Priority legal user without an imminent court deadline
• General legal user without an imminent court deadline

Law Library Services

• Desk and computer research (laws, OARs, case summaries, etc.)
• Copies of legal material (restrictions & fees apply)
• Notary (free of charge, do not sign or date document before you see the Notary)
• Indigent supplies (necessary supplies for Priority Legal Users and General Legal Users with an imminent court deadline)
• Legal Assistants (note: Legal Assistants are NOT authorized to discuss legal work outside of the Law Library)

For more information on Law Library services, see OAR 291-139 Legal Affairs (AIC) .          

• DOC Main Line: (503) 945-9090
• General Mailroom Questions: doc.mailroom.questions@doc.oregon.gov
• Legal Document Service Questions: Contact the facility directly.
• Facility Contacts: See the facility-specific contacts in Section 4.