Mail is a meaningful, tangible connection with the outside world for people who are incarcerated. Letters, cards, drawings, and photographs sent in the mail are cherished forms of communication for people who are incarcerated and their loved ones on the outside. Restricting this vital kind of family contact has real, measurable negative consequences for mental health, behavior, and reentry success.
The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is considering permanently replacing the delivery of physical mail to people who are incarcerated with scanned and digital alternatives.
There is no evidence that mail scanning will improve institutional safety. In fact, other states that implemented mail scanning to stop the alleged problem of drugs coming into prisons through the mail saw drug use and overdoses increase.
