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Confidential and Legal Mail

Confidential and Legal Mail

Currently, MDOC photocopies all regular mail that prisoners receive to prevent drugs or contraband from being introduced. Legal mail was an exception, as recipients were provided with originals for confidentiality reasons. After ongoing incidents of illegal contraband attempting to be sent through legal mail, the department will be updating their policy to photocopy legal mail, as is done with regular mail, to stop these attempts.

The new policy will maintain the confidentiality of legal documents by ensuring that all pages, envelopes, and content within the mail are opened and photocopied in front of the recipient and provided directly to them. The original mail will be immediately shredded by a shredder in front of the recipient and then disposed of in a secure location by MDOC staff.

If a stamped return envelope is provided in the mail, the department will photocopy it and provide the recipient with a new envelope and postage to use.

This policy will go into effect on January 5, 2026.

The department will continue to use TextBehind to verify legal mail was sent by a verified source. To register for TextBehind, please follow the directions below: ***PLEASE NOTE: registration is free. If you reach a prompt request asking for payment information, you have selected the wrong system.

Required Steps If You Are Eligible to Send Special Handling Mail

  1. All mail senders within a firm/agency will register at www.textbehind.com/register for a free account
  2. Select the “DOCS (Document Management System)” for “Attorney & Govt. Agencies” option.
  3. Fill out all required fields, including providing P-Number or Employee ID Number.
  4. Registration will require attorneys to provide a copy of their state-issued photo identification, as well as a copy of their State Bar of Michigan attorney card.
  5. Once registered, use the site to receive a QR code for each envelope you will be sending to an MDOC facility with special handling. QR codes may be printed directly on the envelope or can be printed on a mailing label that is placed on the envelope.

To assist with registration and questions related to TextBehind, the state and TextBehind will be offering two virtual informational sessions. Please register at the following links:

Tue., Dec. 9, 1:00 P.M. EST - TextBehind Training Registration

Thu., Dec. 11, 1:00 P.M. EST - TextBehind Training Registration