Youth may send letters, and they may receive letters, money, or stamps through the mail.
Youth must buy stamps using money in their trust account. If they do not have enough money in their account to buy stamps, we will provide them with stamps.
To help us make sure mail gets to your child, please put their full legal name on the envelope.
Staff open and inspect all mail and packages to make sure that they are appropriate and to look for items that are not allowed. This is to keep all youth and staff safe.
Please do not wrap gifts — this is for the safety of all our youth. You may put the gifts in unsealed decorated gift bags or boxes.
What’s Not Allowed
The following types of mail are not allowed, and may be rejected:
- Mail that does not have a sending or return address.
- Mail with escape plans or plans to commit a crime or violate facility rules.
- Sexually explicit material.
- Gang-related materials.
- Contraband items, including but not limited to weapons, explosives, medications, electronic items, or photos with chemical substances on the back.
- Mail from other incarcerated people, including other youth at OYA facilities, unless the facility superintendent approves in advance.
- Mail to or from the youth’s victims, including through third parties, unless the facility superintendent approves in advance.
- Publications that are contraband or harmful to a youth’s reformation.
- Mail with attachments or enclosures that are glued, taped, or otherwise affixed to the envelope or its contents, such as stickers.
If your mail is rejected, we will notify you and your youth within five business days of when we reject it. The notification will include information about how to appeal.
Read more about our mail policy.
Packages