SOP 227.06: Offender Receipt of Mail

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 1 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

I. Introduction and Summary:

Under the Rules of the Board of Corrections, the Georgia Department of Corrections
(GDC or Department) is required to provide offenders with certain mail rights and
privileges. Therefore, the Warden or Superintendent of each facility housing offenders
under the Department's jurisdiction shall make provisions for receiving and
dispatching offender mail. This policy and procedure governs offender
correspondence.

II. Authority:

A. GDC Board Rule: 125-2-4-.06(c) (d), 125-3-1-.06(a), 125-3-3, 125-3-3-.04 (4),

and 125-4-6.03(d);

B. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): 227.07, Access to Offender Commissary;

227.03, Access to Courts; 227.05, Visitation of Offenders; 226.02, Entry Security
Procedures; 209.01, Offender Discipline; 209.02, Prosecution in Local Court;
209.03, Disciplinary Isolation; 227.02, Statewide Grievance Procedure; 206.01,
Offender Personal Property Standards; 206.02, Management of Offenders Under
Death Sentence; 206.03, Disposition of Abandoned, Tangible Inmate Property;
204.10, Offender Use of the GOAL Device and J-Pay Kiosk; 209.06,
Administrative Segregation; 210.01, Inmate/Probation Boot Camp - General
Policy; 210.04, Inmate/Probation Boot Camp Rights and Standards; 407.03,
Inmate Trust Accounts; and 406.19, Offender Financial Transactions and Business
Activities; and

C. ACA Standards: 2-CO-3C-01, 2-CO-5D-01, 4-4266, 4-4269, 4-4487, 4-4488, 4
4490, 4-4491, 4-4492, 4-4493, 4-4494, 4-4495, and 4-4496.

III. Definitions:

A. Contraband - Items that are not explicitly authorized for possession; were

acquired through unauthorized means; exceed personal property limitations on
value or amount; cannot be maintained in a neat and safe manner; or which present
a fire, sanitation, security, or housekeeping problem.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 2 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

B. Family - For the purposes of this SOP, a relationship that falls into one off the

following categories: parents (including step-parents, parent through adoption, or
person who acted in the capacity of a parent), brothers and sisters (including halfsiblings and step-siblings), spouse, grandparents, grandchildren, children
(including step-child or adopted child). A spouse or step-children from a common
law marriage that occurred on or before January 1, 1997 may be considered family
if they meet visitation criteria adopted by the Board of Corrections.

C. Media Mail - Messages sent electronically over an authorized network through a

Kiosk.

D. Notification Card or Letter - Post card, index card, or letter that displays the

offender’s name and address and notifies contacts that he or she is on restriction
and the period of restriction.

E. Nudity - A pictorial depiction where the human male or female genitals, pubic

area, buttocks, or female breasts are exposed.

F. Offender’s Attorney - Includes any attorney with whom the offender has had, or

is attempting to establish, an attorney client relationship, and who is licensed to
practice in State or United States courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals, or the U.S.
Supreme Court. Also, an approved designee of such attorney, as defined in SOP
227.03, Access to Courts.

G. Other Governmental Agencies - Agencies or instrumentalities of municipal,

county, state, or federal government.

H. The Press - Newspapers, newsmagazines, news services, and radio and television

stations.

I. Privileged Mail - Correspondence between an offender and the Governor,

Lieutenant Governor, Members of the General Assembly of Georgia, the President
and Vice President of the United States, Members of the United States Congress,
Members of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Members of the State Board
of Corrections, the Commissioner of GDC, the Assistant Commissioners of GDC,

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 3 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

the Division Directors of GDC, the Commissioner of Community Supervision, the
Statewide PREA Coordinator, the GDC Ombudsman’s Office, the Courts, all other
governmental agencies, the press, and the offender’s attorney.

J. Publication Review Committee (PRC) - Consists of representatives from

Facilities and the other sections of the Department (OPS., Legal Services, etc.), as
needed. The purpose of this Committee is to review impounded publications to
determine if they meet the criteria for rejection, to notify institutions of impounded
publications, and to maintain and distribute information regarding approved and
rejected publications.

K. Sexually Explicit Conduct - A written or pictorial depiction of actual or simulated

sexual acts, including, but not limited to, intercourse, sodomy (oral or anal) or
masturbation.

L. Unauthorized Currency - Personal checks or other unauthorized checks, cash,

debit cards, credit cards, pre-paid or stored value cards, any type of written account
numbers, digital, or electronic currency. or money orders.

M. Emergency Situations : Significant disruption of normal facility or agency

procedure, policy, or activity caused by riot, and/or disturbance, escape, fire,
natural/industrial disaster, employee work stoppage, hostage incident, or another
serious incident.

IV. Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:

A. Mail Room:

1. Authorization: Mail rooms shall be off limits to all offenders and unauthorized

staff. Offenders shall not be utilized to process mail.

2. Mail Room Staff: The Warden or Superintendent shall designate Mail Room

Staff to process offenders’ incoming and outgoing mail. The Mailroom Staff
shall manage mail according to basic postal policies and GDC procedures
governing the mail of offenders and will apply basic postal regulations
governing the proper handling of the different classes of mail. The Mail Room

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 4 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

Staff at state prisons shall be dedicated to these duties and shall not be pulled
to perform other duties except in Emergency Situations.

3. Required Addresses on All Incoming and Outgoing Offender Mail: All

incoming and outgoing mail must have a complete name and address of the
sender and receiver on the envelope otherwise it will not be processed. A
complete address for outgoing and incoming mail shall include the offender’s
full name, GDC I.D. number, unabbreviated facility name (except for the
initials S.P., C.P. P.D.C., etc.), post office box, city, state, and zip code. A
return address must be present on incoming mail so that undeliverable mail
may be returned to the sender. (Board Rule 125-3-3-.02)

B. Receipt and Distribution of Offender Mail:

1. Receiving and Stamping: Mail received at the facility shall be delivered by the

end of the next working day except as otherwise provided herein. Excluding
weekends, holidays and Emergency Situations, no incoming letters shall be
held for more than 48 hours. Only incoming privileged mail shall be datestamped upon receipt. All postage stamps must be removed or defaced by
designated staff before delivery to the offender.

2. Certified or Registered mail: Incoming certified or registered mail for

offenders shall be processed as all other mail. It shall be delivered to the
addressees only after they sign as having received the registered or certified
mail.

3. Delivery: A designated staff person(s) authorized by the Warden or

Superintendent shall deliver mail to the housing units, which shall include
Administrative Segregation/Protective Custody/Disciplinary Isolation.
Correctional staff shall distribute mail directly to the addressee. Offenders
shall not be allowed to distribute mail.

4. Books, magazines, and other publications: An offender may receive books,

magazines, and other publications only from the publisher, dealer, or
Offender’s Attorney of record. The offender may receive these items without

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 5 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

using their monthly package allowance. However, a request must be made for
these items on Attachment 3, Request/Authorization to Receive Books,
Magazines, & Miscellaneous Items Form S.O.P. 206.01 Offender Personal
Property. (With the exception of such items received from an Offender’s
Attorney of record). The number of books and magazines (combination) is
limited to eight (8) total, except for law books, and must meet the requirements
of S.O.P. 206.01 Offender Personal Property. Books, magazines, and other
publications will be reviewed upon receipt and must meet the criteria
established within this policy.

5. Packages: The handling of packages shall be in compliance with SOP 206.01

Offender Personal Property by the designated staff member. Packages shall
be distributed to the offender in accordance with designated procedures;
however, except for emergency situations, no packages shall be held more than
72 hours.

C. Outgoing Offender Mail:

1. Collection: Outgoing offender mail shall be collected by an employee from

locked mail boxes located in designated areas at least once each scheduled
work day after 7:00 a.m. The mail shall be dispatched to the United States
Post Office on the same day, at a coordinated time with the U.S. Postal
Services, which should be no later than 9:00 a.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and
holidays are excluded from the mail pick-up and delivery schedule.

2. End-of-Week: On the last work day of each week, privileged mail shall be

collected twice a day at approximately 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and will be
dispatched from the facility that same day to the United States Post Office in
time for forwarding.

3. Personal Mail: Outgoing personal mail shall be mailed sealed, but may be

opened for inspection as indicated elsewhere in this SOP.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 6 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

4. Unopened Mail: All outgoing mail that is not opened, including all privileged

mail and all unread personal letters, shall have the following stamped on the
back of the envelope:

(Name)___________ _________State Prison (or Center)
(Address)_________________________________________________
"The enclosed letter was processed through special mailing procedures for
forwarding to you. The letter has been neither opened nor inspected. If the
writer raises a question or problem over which this facility or center has
jurisdiction, you may wish to return the material for further information or
clarification. If the writer encloses correspondence for forwarding to
another addressee, please return the enclosure to the above address."

D. Privileged Mail:

1. Identification:

a. Outgoing: Outgoing privileged correspondence will be treated as

privileged only if the name and official status of the recipient appears on
the envelope. The mailing address of outgoing press mail must reflect the
name of the newspaper, news magazine, news service, radio station, or
television station.

i. Outgoing privileged correspondence may be held until the close of

business on the second working day after receipt to allow verification
of the privileged status of the addressee.

b. Incoming: Incoming privileged correspondence will be treated as

privileged only if the name and official status of the sender appears
commercially printed on the envelope.

i. Incoming privileged correspondence may be held until the end of the

second working day after receipt, to allow verification of the privileged
status of the sender.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 7 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

Note: Privileged mail will not be subject to restriction as a
disciplinary measure .

E. Inspection of Offender Mail:

1. Authorization: The only facility or center staff authorized to inspect the

contents of offender’s mail are the assigned Mail Room Staff, the Warden or
Superintendent, Deputy Warden or designee. There shall be no disclosure
concerning the inspection or the contents of the correspondence observed
except for official purposes. No correctional officer shall read an offender’s
mail which is brought to the housing unit before distributing the mail to the
offenders. After distribution to the offender, delivered mail becomes subject
to rules governing personal property as explained in SOP's 206.01, Offender
Personal Property, 206.02, Management of Offender Property or Contraband,
and 206.03, Disposition of Abandoned, Tangible Offender Property.

2. Inspection of Privileged Mail:

a. Mail to and from privileged sources may be externally inspected according

to SOP 226.02, Entrance Security Procedures for the purpose of detecting
contraband. Following any external inspection, an appropriately
designated staff member (this can be the Mail Room Staff) may open and
inspect (but not read) all privileged mail in the presence of the offender to
whom it is addressed or from whom it originates, unless waived in writing,
or in circumstances which may indicate contamination. Staff, in the
presence of the offender, may be allowed to inspect outgoing privileged
mail for contraband before it is sealed .

b. The inspection of privileged mail will not be permitted to create undue

delays and shall not prevent its delivery by the end of the next working day
after receipt.

3. Inspection of Non-Privileged Mail:

a. Letters received for offenders shall be inspected to intercept unauthorized

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 8 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

currency to include but not limited to personal checks or other unauthorized
checks, cash, money orders, and any other contraband. Since credit cards,
charge cards, debit cards, and similar devices qualify as negotiable
instruments, they are contraband and shall be rejected (see SOP 406.19,
Offender Financial Transactions and Business Activities). Mail that is
intentionally stained or defaced with lipstick or smells of cologne, perfume,
or other odors shall also be rejected.

b. Inspection shall also include the random reading of the mail. A portion of

all incoming mail shall be read each week.

c. Upon review of all incoming mail to offenders, the staff member reviewing

these items shall ensure that at no time, with no exceptions will prestamped envelopes be allowed to enter a Georgia Department of
Corrections facility. This precaution is taken to reduce the introduction of
contraband into our facilities.

d. Approved mail between two offenders shall be inspected for contraband or

dangerous information. Any such mail withheld from the recipient shall
be handled strictly according to the procedures described in Section G,
"Return of incoming mail or removal of items."

F. Mail Restrictions:

General Guidelines - Offenders may correspond with any person without limitation
on number of letters. However, limitations on correspondence funds available to
indigent offenders will necessarily restrict such offender’s outgoing
correspondence. Limitations may also be placed on offender mail when there is
reasonable belief that limitation is necessary to protect public safety or institutional
order and security. Those limitations are expressed throughout this policy. Any
and all material printed from the Georgia Department of Corrections website shall
be considered contraband. It will neither be received nor possessed by any
offender.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 9 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

1. Printed Material or Photocopies:

a. Printed material included with a letter will be limited to 25 sheets of paper,

with the following exceptions:

i. Court transcripts may be received in their entirety from any source.

These transcripts must be for use in the offender’s current case:

ii. If an offender sends legal documents outside the facility to be copied,

the offender may receive all of those copies back in the mail in a single
mailing. However, the offender must inform the mail room that the
copies are being mailed out of the facility and that they will be returned
to the facility;

iii. These volume limits do not apply to privileged mail; and

iv. All printed material or photocopies must meet the publication criteria

as outlined in section VI. H., of this procedure, and it must be stored
neatly in the offender’s locker in such a way that does not pose a fire,
safety, or sanitation hazard.

2. Offender-to-Offender Correspondence: Offenders shall not be allowed to

correspond with one another unless they are Family and each facility’s Warden
or Superintendent has approved it in writing. This written approval shall be
maintained in the offender’s institutional file and documented in SCRIBE as a
case note.

3. Investigations: Offenders under investigation for a serious criminal charge

may have their non-privileged mail treated with greater scrutiny. Privileged
mail will not apply to this restriction.

4. Specific Restrictions: No one will be limited to a list of approved

correspondents. However, the Warden or Superintendent may maintain a list
of restricted correspondents.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 10 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

5. Restriction Approval: Correspondence restrictions will be imposed only with

the written approval of the Warden or Superintendent. This written approval
shall be maintained in the Warden or Superintendent’s office.

6. Withdrawal of Mail Privilege: An offender’s mail privilege may only be

withdrawn as a result of the actions listed below. The only restrictions to the
right of correspondence will be those necessary to ensure the safety of the
facility or other persons. All offenders must meet rules and regulations for
mailing letters. Deliberate violations may result in disciplinary action or
referral for prosecution by the appropriate authorities:

a. Abuse: When an offender is found to have abused the mail privilege under

the procedures and infractions described in SOP 209.01, Offender
Discipline;

b. Termination Request: When an individual requests termination of

correspondence with the offender; or

c. Security: On a case-by-case basis, the Warden or Superintendent

determines that it is detrimental to the security, good order or discipline of
the facility, protection of the general public, or if it might facilitate criminal
activity. Documentation MUST be kept to support this action along with
case notes in SCRIBE.

d. Segregation/Isolation: Offenders housed in Disciplinary Isolation,

Administrative Segregation, and Protective Custody shall receive mail
privileges in the same manner as the general population unless the
offender’s mail privilege has been withdrawn as a result of one (1) or more
of the above actions.

7. Notification of Correspondents: When an offender’s mail privilege is suspended

for disciplinary purposes, the facility will permit the offender to notify persons
to whom he or she regularly corresponds concerning the period of suspension.
The completed notification cards of indigent offenders will be processed by

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 11 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

the facility. The Warden or Superintendent may also issue a letter for this
purpose.

G. Return of Incoming Mail or Removal of Items:

1. Failure to Comply: Correspondence may be disallowed because of dangerous

content or the offender’s failure to comply with correspondence rules and
regulations.

2. Notification: If a letter is totally or partially rejected, a written notice signed

by the official authorizing the rejection and stating the reasons, shall be
provided to the sender and the addressee via Attachment 1, Mail Items
Rejection Form.

3. Return: At the facility's discretion, the entire letter may be returned (if the letter

meets the criteria established in section VI.H.1 of this SOP). Illegal and
Nuisance Contraband shall be handled per SOP 206.02, Management of
Offender Property and Contraband. Stamps or rejected mail (except illegal
contraband), may be returned to the sender, at the offender’s expense, if he or
she is not indigent.

4. Documentation: When any item or piece of incoming mail is removed or

returned, Mail Room Staff shall document the action by recording the
following information on Attachment 1, Mail Rejection Form:

a. The offender’s name and number;

b. A description of the mail in question;

c. A description of the action taken and the reason for such action;

d. The disposition of the item involved;

e. The signature of the Mail Room Staff; and

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 12 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

f. The offender’s signature.

H. Rejection of Publications:

1. Criteria for Rejection: A publication may not be rejected solely because its

content is religious, philosophical, political, social, or because its content is
unpopular or repugnant. Publications that may be rejected include, but are not
limited to, publications that meet one (1) of the following criteria:

a. Weapons: It depicts or describes procedures for the construction or use of

weapons, ammunition, bombs, or incendiary devices.

b. Escape: It depicts, encourages, or describes methods of escape from

correctional facilities, or contains blueprints, drawings or similar
descriptions of GDC facility.

c. Bootlegging or consumption of alcohol or drugs: It depicts or describes

procedures for the brewing or consumption of alcoholic beverages, or the
manufacture or consumption of drugs or other unlawful substances.
Photographs or images of alcohol or drugs in publications or on GOAL
devices are prohibited as well.

d. Code: It is written in code.

e. Violence: It depicts, describes, or encourages activities that may lead to

use of physical violence or group disruption.

f. Crime: It encourages or instructs in the commission of criminal activity or

depicts criminal activity.
g. Disruption: The material is of a type that depicts, describes, encourages,

or has caused violence or other serious disruption of facility security.

h. Hatred: The material advocates racial, religious, or national hatred in such

a way so as to create a danger of violence in the facility.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 13 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

i. Security Threat Groups: Encourages, depicts, or describes the use of gang

symbols, tattoos, slang, or other gang related activities.

j. Sexually Explicit Material: Pictures, publications, and materials featuring

nudity or sexually explicit conduct. Nudity is defined as a pictorial
depiction where the human male or female genitals, pubic area, buttocks,
or male or female breasts are exposed. Sexually explicit conduct is a
written or pictorial depiction of actual or simulated sexual acts, including,
but not limited to, intercourse, sodomy (oral or anal) or masturbation. A
publication will not be prohibited solely because it contains pictorial nudity
that has a medical, educational, or anthropological purpose. Publications
featuring nudity or sexually explicit conduct may be allowed in some
circumstances if they have serious literary, artistic, political, educational or
scientific value, and they do not appeal to the prurient (lascivious) interest,
and do not describe human sexual behavior in a patently offensive way.

2. Publications may only be rejected on an issue-by-issue basis. No publications

should ever be rejected on a subscription or publication basis. Each publication
issue must be reviewed without consideration of prior issues.

3. The Warden, Superintendent, or designee shall impound or reject and not issue

to offenders any publication found to be inadmissible pursuant to the criteria
above. The decision to impound or reject a publication must be made within
three (3) workdays of the receipt of the publication at the facility. (See number
6.)

4. If a publication contains materials meeting the criteria for rejection the entire

issue of the publication shall be rejected. The mailroom staff shall not remove
the objectionable portions in order to allow the remainder of the publication
into the facility.

5. When a publication is impounded or rejected by the Warden, Superintendent,

or designee because of subject matter content pursuant to VI.H.1., the
publication shall be treated as having been found to be detrimental to the
security, order, disciplinary or rehabilitative interests of the Department.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 14 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

6. Only when the Warden or Superintendent or designee cannot determine if the

publication should be rejected, utilizing the criteria as set forth in VI.H.1., the
publication shall be impounded for review by the Publication Review
Committee (PRC). Any facility or center that impounds a publication for the
purposes of further review by the PRC shall be responsible for immediately
notifying the facilities representative of the PRC by phone or e-mail that the
publication has been impounded. Do not forward any publications for review
unless advised to do so by the facilities division representative. Once advised,
the sending facility or center will identify the section (s) of concern, to expedite
the review. The facilities representative of the PRC will then immediately
notify all facilities and centers that the publication has been impounded
pending review by the PRC.

7. The impounded publication shall not be allowed in at any facility/center

pending this review unless the PRC subsequently reverses the impoundment
decision.

8. Any facility or center impounding a publication shall notify the offender that a

publication mailed to them was received and impounded pending review by
the PRC. Attachment 1, Mail Items Rejection Form shall be utilized to notify
the offender.

9. The facility or center is not required to notify the publisher in the event of the

rejection of a publication or issue of a publication under this procedure.

10. The PRC will meet on an as needed basis to review impounded publications.

11. The PRC will review submitted impounded publications to determine if they

meet the criteria for rejection in VI.H.1. Following review of a publication, the
PRC will either allow the publication or reject the publication. Specific reasons
for rejecting a publication shall be maintained by the PRC.

12. Following review of a publication, the PRC will notify all facilities and centers

of the result of that review. Upon completion of the review, the PRC will return

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 15 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

the publication to the sending facility or center for appropriate action in
accordance with this procedure.

13. The PRC will maintain a list of approved and rejected publications. This list

will be forwarded to all facilities and centers electronically on an annual basis.
If a facility allows a publication that is subsequently determined to be a
rejected, the facility should exercise their authority to confiscate the
publication as contraband and handle pursuant to standard operating
procedures regarding offender property and contraband.

I. Appeal of Warden’s or Superintendent’s Rejection of Publications:

1. The Warden’s, Superintendent’s, or designee’s decision will remain in force

until such time the offender makes an appeal. The offender may submit in
writing to the Warden or Superintendent reasons for authorizing receipt of the
publication, utilizing the same Mail Items Rejection Form. These written
reasons will be forwarded to the Commissioner’s designee (the PRC) with the
Warden’s or Superintendent’s reasons for exclusion of the publication utilizing
a copy of Attachment 1, Mail Items Rejection Form. Notice of final
determination made by the Commissioner’s designee (the PRC) will similarly
be given to the offender upon receipt by the Warden or Superintendent.

2. Publication review will not conflict, inhibit, nor replace the grievance process.

No publication or documents related to the publication will be destroyed prior
to the completion of the review and grievance process. The thirty (30) day
time limit on property will not start until the end of the review and grievance
process.

J. Postage and Correspondence Material:

1. Delivery outside the U.S.: All offender mail (regular or non-indigent), which

is destined for delivery outside of the United States will have proper U.S.
postage affixed to the correspondence when received by the facility or center
mail room.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 16 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

2. Postage Limit: An offender may not possess or control more than 20 stamps at

one time.

3. Bulky Items: Postage service, at the offender’s expense, will be available to

the offender for mailing large quantities of privileged mail or bulky nonprivileged items so that the postage stamps in the possession of the offender
need not be used.

4. Store Restriction: If offenders are placed on store restriction for any reason,

they shall be allowed to purchase stamps and correspondence material for both
personal and legal mail.

K. Indigent Offender Mail:

An indigent offenders’ mail shall be processed per SOP 406.19, Offender Financial
Transactions and Business Activity. Mail Room Staff may be designated to verify
the weight for proper postage.

L. Receipt of Unauthorized Currency through the Mail:

1. Money orders shall be removed from the correspondence by the Mail Room

Staff and replaced by a written notice for the offender to report to the mail
room with a stamped self-addressed envelope to be mailed to the sender of the
money order.

2. All cash sent to an offender through the mail shall be documented and then

forwarded to the Business Office for disposition.

3. Checks or other negotiable instruments: Periodically, offenders will receive,

transfer checks from other institutions and jurisdictions, refund checks,
insurance checks, pension checks, and disability checks from various sources
such as the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration,
Veteran's Administration, State of Georgia, or other governmental agencies.
All checks will be intercepted and forwarded to the Business Office for
verification and processing per SOP 406.19, Offender Financial Transactions
and Business Activity.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 17 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

4. Notification: It will be the responsibility of designated staff to maintain

records indicating the disposition of all rejected unauthorized currency. The
amount, the date it was found in the correspondence, and the offender’s name
that it was sent to shall be recorded in a log. Attachment 1, Mail Item Rejection
Form shall be completed for the rejection of all unauthorized currency and shall
be placed in the offender’s file.

M. Transferred or Released Offenders:

1. Mail or packages sent to an offender who has been transferred permanently

shall be forwarded within four (4) working days to the offender’s newly
assigned location or back to GDCs approved vender by the designated staff,
whichever is appropriate. Newly assigned location includes any custodial
confinement such as a facility, center, jail, or out-of-state prison. The interfacility and center mail system should be utilized when possible. If the
offender is released from custody, then the mail should be returned to the
sender within four (4) working days.

2. A permanent log shall be maintained by the Mailroom Officer to indicate mail

for offenders who have been transferred or released and the date forwarded.

3. Packages and mail received for offenders out-to-court or temporarily assigned

to other facilities shall be maintained at the facility. Mail or packages received
more than 35 days after the offender is transferred should not be forwarded and
shall be returned to sender.

N. Media Mail (Electronic Mail):

Media Mail (Electronic Mail) shall be handled in accordance with SOP 204.10,
Offender Use of the GOAL Device and J-Pay Kiosk.

V. Attachments:

Attachment 1: Mail Items Rejection Form

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|Policy Name:Offender Receipt Of Mail|
|Policy Number: 227.06|Effective Date: 2/26/2018|Page Number: 18 of 18|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Facilities Division
|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access
|

VI. Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:

Upon completion, Attachment 1 of this SOP shall become part of the offender’s
institutional file which shall be maintained according to the official records retention
schedule for institutional files.