Incoming Mail:

Incoming Mail will be only accepted in the form of commercially-produced postcards or a photograph used as a postcard.  The mail is delivered to the Sheriff’s Office Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays.

    Address
    Inmate's Name (Booking Number)
    Columbia County Jail
    901 Port Avenue
    St. Helens, Oregon 97051

Prohibited Mail

Effective April 1, 2010 the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is changing the procedures that apply to inmate mail.

MAIL VIOLATIONS:
(Will result in the post card(s) being returned to sender)

* No Inmate Name
* Incomplete Return Address
* Stickers of any kind (Includes address labels)
* Rubber Inked Stamps
* Tape
* Lipstick
* Colored Pencils
* Paperclips / Staples etc.
* Correction Tape / Fluid
* Crayon
* Paint
* Watercolor or colored markers
* Food / Beverage Stains
* Perfume / Cologne
* Any unidentifiable substance

The following mail will not be received or sent from the facility and will be returned to the sender.

   1. Mail from one inmate to another at this facility requires a supervisor's approval.
   2. Mail that threatens blackmail or extortion.
   3. Mail that concerns sending contraband into or out of our jail.
   4. Mail that concerns escape plans.
   5. Mail that concerns plans for activities in violation of the jail rules.
   6. Mail that concerns plans for criminal activity.
   7. Mail that contains information which, if communicated, would create a danger of violence or physical harm to a person
   8. Mail that is sensational. Sensationalism is writing or other printed material that poses a threat to the security, safety, or good order of the jail.
   9. Mail that contains any contraband materials.
  10. No personal packages will be accepted through the mail or by the Sheriff’s Office Clerks.
  11. Polaroid or other instant developing photographs.
  12. Picture frames or picture folders.
  13. Photographs larger than 5" x 7".
  14. Postage stamps, blank writing paper, or blank envelopes.
  15. Mail that contains gang-related writings, drawings, or symbols on the outside of the envelope or letter.
  16. Mail that contains a foreign substance, bodily fluid, perfume or cologne.
  17. Mail written in code or suspected code.
  18. Sexually explicit materials.
  19. Mail that encourages or instructs in a commission of a crime.
  20. Mail falsely labeled “Official Mail.”
  21. Photographs that are not printed by a professional commercial source (photo labs or kiosks) will not be accepted. (home printer produced pictures on regular paper are not allowed.)
  22. Stickers, tape, and return address labels.

Legal Professional Mail Rules:
Inmate legal mail and professional mail rules have not changed. 

Publications:

We do not accept magazines. Books must be sent directly from the publisher or bookstore.  An inmate may receive no more than three books per month.

Mail Definitions and Frequently Asked Questions:

Incomplete return address: Return address is missing either part of the address or first and last name of sender.

No Inmate Name: Inmate’s first and last names are NOT on the post card.

Dead Mailed: There is no return address.  In this case the postcard is returned to the Post Office.

What happens to the postcard I send to an inmate when it arrives at the Facility? 
After the post card has been cleared through administration, it is reviewed for mail violations.  If a violation is found, the Deputy will complete a Mail Violation Form and the mail will be placed in the inmate’s property until their release, or it will be returned to the sender.

Can I send a care package to an Inmate?
Inmates housed in the Jail cannot receive care packages of any kind through the mail.  Care packages which are not mail in can be purchased through www.columbia.icaredirect.com.  We only accept care packages by this method.

Can Inmates have access to Books, Magazines, and Newspapers?
The Columbia County Jail has certain legal publications as well as books for entertainment, and some faith-based materials.   Books may be procured from outside the jail, however any such book, hardbound or otherwise, must be sent directly from the publisher or bookstore via the U.S. Mail. Newspapers may be subscribed to in the inmate's name for delivery to the jail.

Magazines: Are not allowed inside the facility.

Religious Materials: Inmates can request a Bible from the Law Library.  Inmates can also attend a religious program and receive religious materials from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer who facilitates that particular program.