Patent Publication Number: US-2018048677-A1

Title: Inmate Correspondence Systems and Methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/236,456 filed on Jul. 25, 2016 and entitled “Inmate Correspondence Systems and Methods”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally related to inmate picture delivery systems and methods, and more particularly, to systems and methods of facilitating delivery of correspondence, including pictures, to inmates housed in correctional facilities. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sending mail to an inmate in a correctional facility can present a number of challenges. First, correction authorities frequently transfer inmates between correction facilities, such as from a jail (where one is held prior to conviction) to a prison (where one is held after conviction). Such transfers sometimes occur on short notice and can interfere with inmate mail delivery, causing correspondence from friends and family members to become lost. 
     Further, different incarceration facilities can have different rules regarding inmate correspondence. For example, since correction authorities inspect and read incoming mail, incarceration facilities often impose page limits on incoming mail, which page limits can include pictures or other attachments in the page count. Such page limits may vary from facility to facility, and delivery may be delayed or prevented based on the failure of the sender to comply with the particular mail rules of the incarceration facility. Additionally, some incarceration facilities may have rules regarding inclusion of attachments, such as photographs or documents. One facility may ban Polaroid photographs, while another may allow them. Still other facilities may limit the size of attachments in terms of memory usage (e.g., file size), which can present an obstacle to delivery. As a result, the correspondence rules can be difficult for family members to navigate. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, a system may be configured to receive correspondence data including an address associated with an inmate. The system may determine correspondence rules corresponding to the address and may verify compliance of the correspondence data with the correspondence rules before producing a package to be mailed to the inmate. When the correspondence data does not comply, the system may communicate with the sender to receive corrected correspondence data or may automatically adjust the correspondence data to comply with the correspondence rules. 
     In other embodiments, the system may automatically adjust the correspondence data to comply with the rules by adjusting the margins, adjusting the font size, removing non-compliant content (such as images that do not comply with the correspondence rules), or otherwise adjusting the content. In some embodiments, the system may alert the user to the non-compliance to enable the user to make adjustments or authorize the system to make adjustments to the correspondence data to bring it into compliance for mailing. 
     In still other embodiments, the system may be configured to split the correspondence into two or more packets so that the mailed packets may comply with page limits or other size restrictions. Further, the system may be configured to make recommendations or flag potential issues before the user submits the correspondence. Other embodiments are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, a computing device can include a network interface configured to communicate with a network, a processor coupled to the network interface, a printer coupled to the processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may be configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive correspondence data from a computing device through the network. The instructions may further cause the processor to determine correspondence rules corresponding to the incarceration facility from a plurality of correspondence rules based on an address associated with the correspondence data and to process the correspondence data to determine compliance with the correspondence rules. The instructions may also cause the processor to control the printer to produce a physical copy of the correspondence data for mailing to an inmate of a correctional facility when the correspondence data complies with the correspondence rules associated with the address. 
     In still other embodiments, a method may include receiving, at a computing device, correspondence data for sending to an inmate of a correctional facility. The method may further include automatically determining, at the computing device, correspondence rules associated with the correctional facility from a database including a plurality of compliance rules. The method may also include automatically processing, at the computing device, the correspondence data to determine compliance with the correspondence rules. Further, the method may include automatically providing the correspondence data to a printing device to produce a physical copy of the correspondence data when the correspondence data complies. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of an inmate correspondence system, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an inmate correspondence system, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a flow diagram of a method of producing correspondence addressed to an inmate, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flow diagram of a method of processing a package to produce correspondence addressed to an inmate, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flow diagram of a method of selectively adjusting correspondence addressed to an inmate to comply with rules of an incarceration facility, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of forwarding returned correspondence to a new address associated with the inmate, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an interface through which a user may interact with the inmate correspondence system to send correspondence to a selected inmate, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     In the following discussion, the same reference numbers are used in the various embodiments to indicate the same or similar elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of examples. The features of the various embodiments and examples described herein may be combined, exchanged, removed, other embodiments utilized, and structural changes made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), another dedicated hardware implementation, computer hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. In accordance with various embodiments, the methods and functions described herein may be implemented as one or more software programs or instructions executable by a computer processor of a computing device, such as a laptop computer, a server, a desktop computer, or a handheld computing device, such as a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or smart phone. Further, in some embodiments, the methods and functions described herein may be implemented as a device, such as a non-volatile computer readable storage device or memory device, including instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform the methods and functions. 
     Embodiments of systems and methods are described below that may be configured to facilitate correspondence between an individual outside of jail or prison and an inmate within the jail or prison system. In some embodiments, a system may include a processor configured to receive correspondence from a user, to determine an address associated with the correspondence, and to verify the correspondence against correspondence rules associated with a facility corresponding to the address. When the correspondence satisfies the correspondence rules, the system may automatically produce the correspondence and send the correspondence to the address. 
     In some embodiments, when the correspondence fails to satisfy the correspondence rules, the system may alert the user regarding any non-compliance issues (such as page count, file size, or other non-compliance issues) to allow the user to correct the issue and resubmit. Alternatively, when the correspondence fails to satisfy the correspondence rules, the system may automatically suggest changes to bring the correspondence into compliance. In some embodiments, the system may selectively alter the correspondence, such as by adjusting the margins, adjusting the font, adjusting the line spacing, dividing the correspondence into two separate packages, making other adjustments, or any combination thereof in order to produce a correspondence package that satisfies the correspondence rules and that can be mailed to the inmate via the United States Postal Service (or emailed via an electronic correspondences system). In an example, the system may automatically print the correspondence and the attachments and may automatically package the correspondence for mailing to the inmate in accordance with the correspondence rules. Other embodiments are also possible. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of an inmate correspondence system  100 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The system  100  may include a correspondence system  102  configured to communicate through a network  106  with one or more computing devices  104 . The computing devices  104  can include laptop computers, tablet computers, desktop computers, other data processing devices, and the like (generally designated as  104 A). The computing devices  104  may also include communication devices, such as smart phones (generally designated as  104 B), cellular phones, landline phones, or other communication devices capable of sending and receiving data. The network  106  can include a public switched telephone network, a communications network (digital, cellular, or satellite), as well as a data network (such as a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, or any combination thereof). The correspondence system  102  may also communicate with one or more data sources  108 , such as websites or databases, to retrieve correspondence rules for a particular facility. 
     The correspondence system  102  may also be coupled to one or more printers  136  and to one or more packaging units  138 . In some embodiments, the correspondence system  102  may convert data (text, images, or both) into a physical form by printing the data onto paper using at least one of the printers  136 . The printed information may then be packaged into an envelope or box by a packaging unit  138  to which postage may be applied in order to send the correspondence to an address associated with an inmate via the United States Postal Service. 
     The correspondence system  102  may include a network interface  110  configured to communicate with the network  106  and with data sources  108  and computing devices  104  through the network  106 . The correspondence system  102  may further include a processor  112  coupled to the network interface  110 , to a memory  114 , a database of facility correspondence rules  116 , and to a production interface  134 , which may be coupled to the printers  136  and the packaging units  138 . In some embodiments, the database of facility correspondence rules  116  may be stored in the memory  114 . In other embodiments, the database of facility correspondence rules  116  may be accessible via the network  106 . 
     In certain embodiments, the database of facility correspondence rules  116  may be updated manually by an administrator associated with the correspondence system  102  or by an administrator associated with the incarceration facility using a computing device  104 . The database of facility correspondence rules  116  may be updated based on failed delivery events, based on publicly available information, based on communications with administrators at the incarceration facility, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the processor  112  may be configured to automatically update correspondence rules by checking facility correspondence rules available from websites or other data sources  108  and comparing them against stored information in the facility correspondence rules database  116  to detect changes and to automatically update the rules within the database  116  in response to detecting changes. Alternatively, such detected changes can be reported to an operator of the correspondence system  102  for verifying the changes and to update the rules in the database  116 . Other embodiments are also possible. 
     The memory  102  can include a graphical user interface (GUI) generator  118  that, when executed, may cause the processor  112  to produce a graphical interface including information as well as one or more user-selectable elements accessible by a user (via an interface of a computing device) to provide correspondence for transmission to an inmate. The user may be a friend or family member of an incarcerated person. In some embodiments, the user may access the interface to log in, to upload or write correspondence, to upload images or other documents, to correct compliance issues, and to send the correspondence to a selected inmate. When setting up the account, the user may configure contact information for an inmate by adding the inmate&#39;s name and his or her incarceration number. Further, the user may select a facility where he or she is incarcerated from a pull-down menu or may type the address into a field within the interface. Further, the user may add multiple inmates. Once an inmate is selected, the user may draft or upload correspondence address to the user and may attach pictures, documents or other information for transmission to the inmate. 
     In some embodiments, the user may attempt to use the graphical interface to set up an account. When selecting the incarceration facility where the inmate is being held, in some instances, the particular facility may not yet be included in the list. If this happens, the graphical interface may allow the user to add the name and other details associated with the facility, and the graphical interface may alert the user that the facility address and correspondence rules will need to be verified and added before the system  102  can be used to send correspondence to the inmate. In an example, the correspondence system  102  may send an email or other alert to the user when the facility setup is completed. 
     The memory  114  may include a data analyzer  120  that, when executed, may cause the processor  112  to process received data into a set of temporary tables. In some embodiments, the processor  112  may analyze the content of the data using semantic analysis as well as optical analysis (of images) to determine one or more attributes associated with the content. 
     The memory  122  may include an address detector  122  that, when executed, may cause the processor  112  to determine an address from the uploaded content. When the address is selected from a pull-down menu (for example), such detection is not necessary; however, when the address is included within a document (word processor document, scanned image, or other source), the address information may be determined using optical carriage recognition (OCR), pattern recognition, semantic analysis, other address detection rules, or any combination thereof. 
     The memory  122  can include a rules analyzer  124  that, when executed, may cause the processor  112  to determine one or more correspondence rules from a plurality of correspondence rules in the database  116  that correspond to an address provided for the inmate. In some embodiments, such as where the address for the facility is not already included in the database  124 , where the correspondence rules are not included in the database  124 , the rules analyzer  124  may cause the processor  112  to determine the correspondence rules from at least one data source  108  (such as a website for the facility or for the detection facility), or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the rules analyzer  124  may process the data from the correspondence against the correspondence rules to determine if the correspondence complies with the rules. 
     The memory  122  can also include an alerting module  126  that, when executed, may cause the processor  112  to send an alert to a user when the correspondence does not comply with the correspondence rules (or to notify the user when a new facility setup is complete). In some embodiments, the alert may include a text message, an email message, a voice message, another electronic message or any combination thereof. The alert may include information identifying the compliance issue, providing recommendations regarding how the user can overcome the compliance issues, requesting authorization from the user to assist in overcoming the compliance issues, or any combination thereof. 
     The memory  114  can include an adjustment module  128  that, when executed, may cause the processor  112  to automatically adjust at least one at least one attribute of the correspondence. In an example, a compliance rule may include a total number of pages of a correspondence package. In response to the determination that the correspondence is not in compliance with the rule, the adjustment module  128  may cause the processor  112  to automatically determine an adjustment to the correspondence and to apply the adjustment to produce a correspondence package. In an example, the adjustment module  128  may cause the processor to adjust the print margins, the font size, line spacing, or any combination thereof of the text within the correspondence package to reduce the overall page count. In another example, the adjustment module  128  may cause the processor to divide the correspondence into two packages so that each package will fit within the page count limit. In an example where the facility does not allow attachments, the adjustment module  128  may embed the attachment. Other adjustments are also possible. 
     The memory  114  can include a production module  130  that, when executed, may cause the processor  112  to control one or more of the printers  136  and the packaging units  138  via the production interface  134  to generate at least one printed package that complies with the correspondence rules and that can be shipped (mailed via the United States Postal Service or another package delivery service) to the inmate. In some embodiments, the production module  130  may cause the processor  130  to control one or both of the printer  136  and the packaging unit  138 . In some embodiments, the printer  136  may include an output tray that may be configured to automatically deliver the printed correspondence to the packing unit  138 , which may include an automated folding unit, an envelope filling unit, or another device for packaging the printed correspondence in a deliverable envelope. 
     The memory  114  can include a speech-to-text converter  140  that, when executed, may cause the processor  112  to receive audio data and to convert the audio data into text data, which may be delivered to the data analyzer  120  for processing as described above with respect to other input data. Further, the memory  102  may store user data  142  about a subscriber or registered user. The user data  142  may include login data, previous correspondence data, billing information, preferences, inmate information, other data, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the correspondence system  102  may be configured to facilitate correspondence between individuals and inmates. By analyzing correspondence data against correspondence rules, the correspondence system  102  can assist a user by ensuring that the package mailed to the inmate complies with the correspondence rules. Further, in some examples, particular correctional facilities may restrict certain types of photographs. The correspondence system  102  may print the picture using one of the printers  136  to produce a photograph that complies with the facility&#39;s rules. Other embodiments are also possible. 
     In certain examples, the correspondence system  100  may be implemented as an application that can run on one or more servers as a cloud-based system. In other examples, the correspondence system  100  may include an application running on a computing device  104 , such as a smart phone  104 B. The application running on the computing device  104  may determine the facility correspondence rules from a data source, such as the database  116  or one of the data sources  108 , and may process correspondence data against the correspondence rules, providing recommendations or automatically adjusting the data to produce a correspondence package that can be printed and mailed in compliance with the facility&#39;s correspondence rules. Other embodiments are also possible. One possible example of a computing device configured to execute an inmate correspondence application is described below with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an inmate correspondence system  200 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The inmate correspondence system  200  may be an embodiment of the correspondence system  100  of  FIG. 1 . In this example, the computing device  104  may be a tablet computer, a smartphone, or another computing device. 
     The computing device  104  may include a network transceiver  202  configured to communicate with the network  106  through a wired or wireless communication link. The computing device  104  can also include a processor  204  coupled to the network transceiver  202 . The processor  204  may also be coupled to a memory  208  and to an input interface  206 , such as a touchscreen interface configured to display information and to receive input data. In some embodiments, the computing device  104  can include a camera  222  configured to capture images or video. Further, the computing device  104  can include a microphone  224  configured to convert sounds into audio data and a speaker  226  configured to confirm signals into audible sounds. The camera  222 , the microphone  224 , and the speaker  226  may be coupled to the processor  204 . 
     The memory  208  may include an Internet browser application  210  that, when executed, may cause the processor  204  to provide an Internet browser interface accessible by a user via the input interface  206  to visit web pages. In some embodiments, the user may utilize the computing device  104  to access the correspondence system  102  to upload correspondence and to initiate transmission of the correspondence to an inmate. In a particular example, the correspondence system  102  may provide a graphical interface including information and user-selectable elements, which may be rendered and accessed via the Internet browser application  210  to enable the user to upload and correct correspondence intended for shipment to the inmate. 
     Further, the memory  208  may include an email application  212  that, when executed, may cause the processor  204  to send and receive electronic mail through the network  106 . The memory  208  may also include a text application  214  that, when executed, may cause the processor  204  to send and receive text messages through the network  106 . The memory  208  may further include one or more voice applications  216  that, when executed, may cause the processor  204  to provide various functions, including initiating and receiving phone calls, receiving and storing voice mail messages, capturing audio recordings, capturing images or video, other functions, or any combination thereof. 
     The memory  208  may include an inmate application  218  that, when executed, may cause the processor  204  to receive input data, to determine correspondence rules corresponding to an incarceration facility, to determine compliance of the correspondence to the correspondence rules, to alert the user when the content does not comply with the correspondence rules, and so on. In some embodiments, the inmate application  218  may send a portion of the correspondence data to the correspondence system  102  for analysis and may display information to the user via the input interface  206  in response to data received from the correspondence system  102 . In some embodiments, the inmate application  218  may finalize a correspondence packet for mailing and may forward the finalized correspondence packet to the correspondence system  102  for printing and mailing. Alternatively, the inmate application  218  may be configured to communicate with a printer through a direct connection or through the network  106  to print the correspondence package for mailing. Other embodiments are also possible. 
     The memory  208  may also include application data  220 , which may include stored preferences and information associated with the inmate application  218 . Further, the application data  220  can include the uploaded information for sending to the inmate and can include completed package information, which allows the user to see what was previously sent. Other embodiments are also possible. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a flow diagram of a method  300  of producing correspondence addressed to an inmate, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. At  302 , the method  300  may include receiving, from a computing device of a user, input related to correspondence to be sent to an inmate at a correctional facility. The input may include text, images, audio data, video data, or any combination thereof. The input may further include an identifier associated with an inmate, including an address to which the correspondence is to be sent. 
     At  304 , the method  300  can include automatically determining a plurality of correspondence rules associated with a correctional facility based on an address associated with the inmate. In an example, the correctional facility may include a jail, a prison, a work-release facility, or any combination thereof. The rules may be determined from a database of correspondence rules or may be determined from a web page associated with the correctional facility. 
     At  306 , the method  300  may include automatically verifying that the correspondence satisfies (or complies with) the correspondence rules. The system may automatically verify the compliance of the correspondence by semantically analyzing the content to identify potential issues, by processing the number of pages of the correspondence, by optically analyzing images, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, if the page count exceeds a page limit imposed by the correspondence rules, the system may determine that the correspondence does not comply. Similarly, image data may be analyzed for human forms and photos that include nudity may be flagged as potentially problematic. In some instances, an operator (such as an administrator) may review such “flagged” images may be reviewed by an employee to verify compliance. In some embodiments, the automatic verification may include performing optical character recognition (OCR) operations on text within an uploaded document and processing the resulting text to determine compliance. Other embodiments are also possible. 
     At  308 , if the correspondence does not comply with the rules, the method  300  may include automatically alerting the user regarding the basis for the non-compliance with the correspondence rules, at  310 . The alert may include a text message, an email message, an indicator (text or image) displayed within an application running on the user&#39;s computing device, an audio alert played through a speaker of the user&#39;s computing device, an audio message, or any combination thereof. The method  300  may then return to  302  to receive, from a computing device of a user, input related to correspondence to be sent to an inmate at a correctional facility. 
     Otherwise, at  308 , if the correspondence complies with the rules, the method  300  can include automatically forwarding the correspondence to the address associated with the inmate, at  312 . In an example, the correspondence may be printed, packaged, and mailed via the United States Postal Service or another authorized mail carrier. In another example, the correspondence may be emailed to a computing device associated with the correctional facility for printing or viewing on-site. Other embodiments are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, depending on the basis for non-compliance, the computing system may be configured to selectively alter at least a portion of the correspondence data to enable compliance with the rules. One possible example of a method of selectively altering a portion of the correspondence data is described below with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a flow diagram of a method  400  of processing a package to produce correspondence addressed to an inmate, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. At  402 , the method  400  may include receiving, at a correspondence system, correspondence to be sent to an inmate at a correctional facility. The correspondence may include text, images, audio, or any combination thereof. 
     At  404 , the method  400  may include optionally converting at least a portion of the correspondence into a digital text form by scanning or performing optical character recognition on the correspondence. In some embodiments, a faxed or scanned document may be processed using optical character recognition operations to extract text data from the image. Further, a speech-to-text application may be used to extract text from an audio file, which extracted text may then be further processed. 
     At  406 , the method  400  can include automatically determining attributes associated with the received correspondence including determining an inmate identifier. In some embodiments, the inmate identifier may include the inmate&#39;s name, the inmate&#39;s identification number, and the mailing address of the facility at which the inmate is incarcerated. 
     At  408 , the method  400  may include automatically determining a plurality of correspondence rules associated with a correctional facility based on the inmate identifier. In an example, the system may look up the correspondence rules for a particular facility based on the inmate&#39;s address. 
     At  410 , if the attributes of the correspondence do not satisfy (comply with) the correspondence rules, the method  400  may include automatically sending an alert to the user including information about the correspondence rules and requesting authorization to adjust the correspondence, at  412 . At  414 , the method  400  may include, when authorization is received (or in response to receiving authorization), automatically reproducing at least a portion of the correspondence based on the correspondence rules to produce a packet for mailing. In an example, if the correspondence exceeds a page count, the system may reproduce a portion of the correspondence within the page limit and then may produce a second portion of the correspondence within the page limit for two separate packets for mailing. In other examples, the reproduction may include adjusted margins, adjusted fonts, or other adjustments to satisfy various correspondence rules. 
     The method  400  can further include sending the packet to an address associated with the inmate, at  416 . The packet may be sent by United States Postal Service or another authorized delivery service. Alternatively, the packet may be sent in a digital form. Further, the method  400  can include notifying the user that the packet was sent, at  418 . In some instances, delivery may also be confirmed (at a later time). 
     Returning to  410 , if the attributes do not satisfy (comply) with the correspondence rules, the method  400  may include automatically producing the packet for mailing to the inmate according to the correspondence rules, at  420 . The method  400  can further include sending the packet to an address associated with the inmate, at  416 . Further, the method  400  can include notifying the user that the packet was sent, at  418 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a flow diagram of a method  500  of selectively adjusting correspondence addressed to an inmate to comply with rules of an incarceration facility, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. At  502 , the method  500  can include receiving, from a computing device of a user, correspondence to be sent to an inmate at a correctional facility. The correspondence may include text, images, audio, or any combination thereof. The images may include scanned documents. 
     At  504 , the method  500  can include determining a plurality of correspondence rules associated with a correctional facility based on an address associated with the inmate. The system may determine the correspondence rules by automatically searching a website associated with the correctional facility or by searching a database of such rules. 
     At  506 , the method  500  may include automatically comparing the received correspondence to the correspondence rules. In a particular example, the system may determine if the content complies with the correspondence rules, in terms of semantic content, image content, number of pages, and so on. 
     At  508 , the method  500  can include selectively altering the correspondence to satisfy the correspondence rules. Such selective alteration can include adjusting margins, reducing font sizes, or even dividing the correspondence into two or more packages. 
     At  510 , the method  500  can include automatically sending the altered correspondence to the address associated with the inmate. Such automatic sending may include packaging the correspondence into one or more envelopes, printing labels for or onto the envelopes, applying postage to the envelopes, sealing the envelopes, and placing the envelopes into a mailbox or mail bin for pickup. Other embodiments are also possible. 
     In some instances, the correspondence address for an inmate may change on short notice, and the correspondence packet may be returned. One possible method for handling returned mail is described below with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flow diagram of a method  600  of forwarding returned correspondence to a new address associated with the inmate, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. At  602 , the method  600  can include automatically sending a verified correspondence packet to an address associated with an inmate. The correspondence packet may be verified by comparing the correspondence to a set of correspondence rules associated with the address of the inmate. 
     At  604 , the method  600  may include receiving an undelivered correspondence packet from the facility associated with the address. In response to receiving the undelivered packet, the method  600  can include determining a new address associated with the inmate, at  606 . The new address may be determined by communicating with the sender of the packet to acquire the new address, by communicating with the facility to determine the new address, or by another means. 
     At  608 , the method  600  may include automatically determining a plurality of correspondence rules associated with a correctional facility based on the new address. The method  600  may further include automatically comparing the returned correspondence to the correspondence rules to verify compliance, at  610 . At  612 , the method  600  can include selectively altering the correspondence to satisfy the correspondence rules. If the returned correspondence complies with the rules, then the packet can be sent to the new address without alteration. 
     At  614 , the method  600  may include automatically sending the verified correspondence packet to the new address associated with the inmate. The method  600  may also include sending an alert to the original sender to explain the return and to verify resending of the packet to the new address. Other embodiments are also possible. 
     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 3-6 , the steps of the various methods are provided for illustrative purposes only. It should be appreciated that steps may be combined or other steps added without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the methods of  FIGS. 3-6  are not mutually exclusive, and the various methods or selected steps from the various methods may be combined into a single flow without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an interface  700  through which a user may interact with the inmate correspondence system to send correspondence to a selected inmate, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The interface  700  may include an acknowledgement panel  702 , which may acknowledge the user by name and which may include a log out button or link  704 . The interface  700  may also include a plurality of tabs, which may be selected by a user to access various items of information. The tabs can include a first tab  704  (labeled “Current Correspondence”), a second tab  706  (labeled “Saved Drafts”), a third tab  708  (labeled “Sent”), a fourth tab  710  (labeled “Address Information”), and a fifth tab  712  (labeled “Settings”). Other tabs may also be provided. A user may access the Saved Drafts tab  706  to access a list of draft correspondence that has not yet been submitted. The user may access the Sent tab  708  to view previously sent correspondence (and optionally to track delivery). The user may access the “Address Information” tab  710  to view and optionally edit the user-configured address information for a particular inmate. The user may also access the Settings tab  712  to configure automatic settings, enabling the system to automatically adjust correspondence to comply with the correspondence rules. In the illustrated example, the Current Correspondence tab  704  is selected. 
     The interface  700  may include a pull-down menu  716  that may be accessed by a user to select an inmate from a list of inmates. The pull-down menu  716  may include only one inmate and may provide a selectable option to add another name. Selection of the “add” option may allow a user to add an inmate and to select or add a corresponding mailing address. 
     The interface  700  may also include a pull-down menu  718  through which the user may select an address from a list or change the current address, which may be displayed in response to selection of a particular inmate. 
     The interface  700  may further include a text field  720  that may allow the user to type or copy and paste text, such as the text of a letter. Alternatively, the user may type the letter directly into the text field. The interface  700  may also include a browse button  722  and an attach button  724  that may be accessed by the user to attach a text document from which text data may be extracted and added to the text field  720 . The interface  700  can also include an uploaded image  726  (labeled “Chad_Football_Pic.jpg”) with an associated Remove button  728 . Further, the interface  700  may include a browse button  730  and an attach button  732  for selecting and uploading additional images. 
     The interface  700  may also include a Save button  734  for saving a draft of the message for editing at a later time. The interface  700  can also include a “Cancel” button  736  accessible by a user to discard the current draft. The interface  700  can also include a “Send” button  738  that, when selected, may cause the interface  700  to forward the data to the correspondence system for production as a package and for shipping of the package to the identified inmate at the selected address. 
     It should be understood that the interface  700  is an illustrative example of an interface that may be displayed within an Internet browser application or within a standalone application executing on a computing device. However, other interfaces may also be used and the arrangement and content of the interface may vary according to the particular implementation. 
     In conjunction with the systems, methods and interfaces described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-7 , a system may be configured to facilitate postal communications between a user and an inmate within a jail or prison. The system may be configured to verify that the correspondence complies with the particular correspondence rules of the facility where the inmate is incarcerated. If the correspondence does not comply, the system may generate an alert to the user to fix the issue. Alternatively, the system may automatically adjust the correspondence to comply with the correspondence rules. Other embodiments are also possible. 
     The processes, machines, and manufactures (and improvements thereof) described herein are particularly useful improvements for inmate communication systems. Further, the embodiments and examples herein provide improvements in the technology of generating correspondence packets for mailing to inmates. In addition, embodiments and examples herein provide improvements to the functioning of a computer by providing correspondence evaluation functions that compare correspondence data to correspondence rules for a particular facility to ensure delivery of the correspondence, thereby creating a specific purpose computer by adding such technology. Thus, the improvements herein provide for technical advantages, such as providing a system in which a user&#39;s interaction with a computer system make inmate correspondence easier and more reliable by verifying the correspondence against the correspondence rules for the particular facility to ensure that correspondence sent to the inmate complies with the rules for that particular facility. For example, the systems and processes described herein can be particularly useful to any family member wishing to send correspondence, pictures, and other items to inmates. Further, the improvements herein provide additional technical advantages, such as providing a system in which non-compliant correspondence can be fixed automatically on behalf of the sender prior to mailing to the inmate. While technical fields, descriptions, improvements, and advantages are discussed herein, these are not exhaustive and the embodiments and examples provided herein can apply to other technical fields, can provide further technical advantages, can provide for improvements to other technologies, and can provide other benefits to technology. Further, each of the embodiments and examples may include any one or more improvements, benefits and advantages presented herein. 
     The illustrations, examples, and embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, in the flow diagrams presented herein, in certain embodiments, blocks may be removed or combined without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, structural and functional elements within the diagram may be combined, in certain embodiments, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. 
     This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the examples, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be reduced. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.