Michigan's mail system has had two major changes in the last two years that families need to know about. First, all incoming mail - letters, photos, everything - has been photocopied statewide for several years now. Prisoners receive copies; originals are shredded after 14 days. Second, in December 2025 Michigan expanded this photocopying policy to include legal and confidential mail as well, along with a new attorney registration system called TextBehind. Legal mail without a valid TextBehind QR code is now returned to the attorney unopened.
Michigan does not have a centralized mail address - letters go directly to each facility. But nothing comes back. The policy is explicit: originals sent by prisoners are not returned, and originals received at facilities are photocopied and shredded. Prisoners must photocopy any document they want to preserve before mailing it out.
Michigan DOC (MDOC) refers to incarcerated people as "prisoners" throughout its materials.
This article covers MDOC state correctional facilities. Michigan county jails operate independently and are addressed at the end.
Governing policy: PD 05.03.118 (Prisoner Mail), effective January 5, 2026.
Sending mail - letters and correspondence
Mail goes directly to the facility where the prisoner is housed. Find the prisoner's current facility and MDOC number through OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) at michigan.gov/corrections/otis.
Every piece of incoming mail must clearly identify the recipient's name and prisoner number. Mail that cannot identify the recipient may be returned or receive delayed processing.
All incoming non-special-handling mail is opened, inspected for contraband, and photocopied. The prisoner receives the photocopy; the front of the original envelope is also photocopied. Originals are retained for 14 calendar days, then shredded. After photocopying, staff verify that all pages are accounted for and legible. If a prisoner receives incomplete or illegible mail, they should notify staff immediately.
Voluminous mail limit: MDOC will not process general correspondence exceeding 12 single-sided pages in legible font - roughly the equivalent of a 2-ounce first-class letter. Mail from state departments conducting official business, and mail from legitimate educational or religious organizations, is exempt from this limit.
Stamps and envelopes for outgoing mail must be purchased by the prisoner through the facility store using their financial account. Families cannot send stamps.
Nothing will be returned from a Michigan facility under any circumstances. Prisoners must photocopy any document they want to preserve before sending it out.
Legal mail - TextBehind QR code system (effective January 5, 2026)
This is the biggest change in Michigan's mail system in recent memory. All legal mail - correspondence between a prisoner and their attorney containing attorney-client communications - must now include a valid QR code issued by TextBehind on the envelope. Legal mail without a valid QR code, or with an unscannable code, is returned to the attorney unopened.
Attorneys must: (1) Register at docs.textbehind.com; (2) Add prisoner contacts; (3) Provide identification (state-issued ID, State Bar of Michigan card, letterhead, or phone verification); (4) Download a unique, single-use QR code for each individual envelope. QR codes are issued at no cost.
Once verified, legal mail is opened and photocopied in the prisoner's presence on a machine that does not retain data. Originals are shredded immediately in the prisoner's presence. The prisoner receives the photocopies. Staff complete a Legal and Confidential Mail Processing Acknowledgement Form (CSJ-991) for each piece.
If a prisoner refuses to accept the mail after it has been opened, it is shredded in their presence. If a prisoner refuses to go to the designated area for processing, the mail is returned to the sender unopened.
Confidential mail from courts, prosecutors, legal service organizations, and other designated entities can also register through TextBehind for special handling. Confidential mail without a QR code is processed as regular mail (photocopied, originals shredded after 14 days) rather than returned unopened.
Sending photos
Photos may be included in regular correspondence. They are photocopied along with the rest of the mail. The prisoner receives the photocopy; the original is shredded after 14 days.
Original photographs may be returned to the sender at the prisoner's expense if the prisoner requests it within 14 calendar days of receipt. Funds are not loaned for this purpose.
Photo collages are prohibited.
Sending publications - books, magazines, newspapers
New books and publications only - no used books.
Books must come from approved internet vendors (ordered by family) or approved prisoner-order vendors. As of February 9, 2026, softcover books only. (Per MDOC Family Orientation Packet 2026: "Soft Cover Only Effective 02/09/2026.")
Approved internet vendors for family to order from (as listed in orientation materials):
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Edward R. Hamilton, Prison Legal News, Schuler Books, Walmart.com
All items must be shipped directly from the vendor - not from an affiliate or third-party seller. Only books and publications may be purchased from these vendors, not other items.
Books ordered on a credit basis (e.g., from book clubs that create ongoing purchase obligations) are not permitted unless the book is fully prepaid and receipt does not obligate future credit purchases.
Articles or a few pages from a publication included with a letter are generally permitted unless they appear to circumvent publication restrictions.
Retail and wholesale catalogs are not permitted unless sent directly from an MDOC-approved vendor that is an authorized source for prisoner personal property purchases.
What cannot be sent
The full prohibited content list under PD 05.03.118 includes:
Weapon or explosive construction details; poison or drug manufacturing; instructions to violate laws; advocacy for violence, racial supremacy, or group disruption; detailed martial arts instruction (non-combative forms like tai chi are allowed); sadistic, masochistic, or child sexual content; nude photographs (buttocks, pubic area, genitalia, female breast below areola - including through see-through material); photographs depicting actual or simulated sexual acts; crime scene victim photos; escape methods or blueprints of correctional facilities; coded messages or foreign language correspondence that cannot be screened; personal employee information; operating a business enterprise from within the facility; court-ordered mail restrictions; threats; mail exceeding 12 single-sided pages; and gang signs or activity.
Note on nude images: nudity in publications sent directly from the publisher or authorized vendor is treated differently from photographs sent separately.
Coloring books and pages are allowed as long as the content does not violate the prohibited mail policy.
Phone calls - ViaPath
Michigan's phone system is provided by ViaPath. Calls cost $0.0735 per minute. Calls last up to 15 minutes. Prisoners receive one free 10-minute call per week. Multiple calls per day are allowed depending on facility schedule and phone availability.
All calls are outgoing - you cannot call into a prison. Prisoners call phone numbers on their approved list. Fund accounts at web.connectnetwork.com.
Phone or ViaPath service issues: 855-466-2832.
Video calls: $3.20 for a 20-minute call; schedule at midoc.gtlvisitme.com/app.
Email - JPay
Michigan uses JPay for electronic messaging. Prisoners access JPay through personal tablets or facility kiosks. Family and friends create accounts at jpay.com. Messages require electronic stamps purchased by the user. Messages are subject to staff review; objectionable content is rejected.
JPay support: 800-574-5729.
Friends and Family packages
One Friends and Family package per prisoner per quarter; maximum value $125. Order at accesscatalog.com.
Packages cannot be dropped off at the facility - they must come from the approved vendor.
Sending money - ConnectNetwork (ViaPath)
Deposits to prisoner trust accounts go through ConnectNetwork: web.connectnetwork.com.
Prisoners can spend up to $125 every other week through the prisoner store (plus applicable sales tax).
Michigan county jails
Michigan has 83 counties, each operating its own jail under the county sheriff. County jails are not part of MDOC and set their own mail and deposit rules. Verify current rules with the specific county facility.
What to know before you send anything
Mail goes directly to each facility. Find the MDOC number and facility through OTIS at michigan.gov/corrections/otis.
Include recipient's full name and prisoner number on every envelope.
All mail is photocopied; originals are shredded after 14 days. Nothing is returned. Prisoners must photocopy documents before mailing them out if they want to keep them.
Legal mail: attorneys MUST register at docs.textbehind.com and include a valid QR code on every envelope. No QR code = returned unopened.
Maximum 12 single-sided pages per general correspondence mailing.
Photos: included with mail are photocopied. Originals may be returned to sender if requested within 14 days at prisoner's expense.
No photo collages.
Books: softcover only (effective 02/09/2026); new only; from approved vendors (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Edward R. Hamilton, Prison Legal News, Schuler Books, Walmart.com); shipped directly from vendor. No credit-basis book clubs.
Phone: ViaPath at web.connectnetwork.com; $0.0735/minute; 855-466-2832 for issues.
Email: JPay at jpay.com; 800-574-5729 for issues.
Packages: one per quarter; $125 max; accesscatalog.com.
Money: ConnectNetwork at web.connectnetwork.com.
County jails: verify rules with each specific facility.
Related pages:
/prisons/michigan
How to send money to a Michigan inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to a Michigan DOC prisoner?
Directly to the facility where they are housed. Include their full name and prisoner number. Find both through OTIS at michigan.gov/corrections/otis.
Will my original letter be returned?
No. All incoming mail is photocopied and the original is shredded after 14 days. Nothing is ever returned from a Michigan facility. The prisoner receives the photocopy.
How do attorneys send legal mail now?
Attorneys must register with TextBehind at docs.textbehind.com and include a unique QR code on every envelope of legal mail. Legal mail without a valid QR code is returned to the attorney unopened. Registration is free.
Can I send a hardcover book?
No. As of February 9, 2026, only softcover books are permitted. Books must be new, from an approved vendor, and shipped directly from the vendor.
Can I send photos?
Yes, included with a letter - they are photocopied with the mail. The original photo is shredded after 14 days unless the prisoner requests it be returned to you at their expense within 14 days. No photo collages.
How do I set up phone calls?
Fund a ConnectNetwork account at web.connectnetwork.com. Calls cost $0.0735/minute; prisoners receive one free 10-minute call per week. Contact ViaPath at 855-466-2832 for issues.
How do I send an electronic message?
Through JPay at jpay.com. Create an account, find your person's facility, and purchase electronic stamps to send messages. Contact JPay at 800-574-5729 for issues.
How do I send a care package?
One Friends and Family package per quarter, maximum $125 value, ordered through accesscatalog.com. Cannot be dropped off at the facility.
How do I send money?
Through ConnectNetwork at web.connectnetwork.com. ====================================================================
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