Illinois Administrative Code › Title 20 - CORRECTIONS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT › Part 2525 - RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES › Subpart B - MAIL AND TELEPHONE CALLS › Section 2525.130 - Outgoing Mail

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
This Section applies to all youth centers within the
				  Department.
a) Youth shall be permitted
				to send privileged and non-privileged letters at their own expense. Youth with
				insufficient money in their trust fund accounts to purchase postage shall be
				permitted to send reasonable amounts of legal mail and mail to clerks of any
				court or the Illinois Court of Claims, to certified court reporters, to the
				Administrative Review Board, and to the Prisoner Review Board at State expense
				if they attach signed money vouchers authorizing deductions of future funds to
				cover the cost of the postage. The youth's trust fund account shall be
				restricted for the cost of such postage until paid or the youth is released or
				discharged, whichever is soonest.
b) Youth must clearly mark all outgoing mail
				with their name. Mail that is not properly marked, including privileged mail,
				shall be opened and returned to the sender if the sender's identity can be
				determined. If the sender's identity cannot be determined, the mail shall be
				destroyed.
c) Outgoing privileged
				mail must be clearly marked as "privileged" and sealed by the youth. Outgoing
				mail which is clearly marked as privileged and addressed to a privileged party
				may not be opened for inspection except as provided in subsection (d) of this
				Section.
d) Outgoing privileged
				mail may be examined for dangerous contraband, using an x-ray, fluoroscope, or
				other similar device. Outgoing privileged mail may also be inspected for
				dangerous contraband by other means which do not damage the mail and which do
				not permit the mail to be read. Except in an emergency, outgoing privileged
				mail shall not be opened, unless there is reasonable suspicion that dangerous
				contraband is contained therein, legal services is consulted, and the mail is
				opened in the youth's presence.
e)
				With the exception of privileged mail, all mail shall be unsealed when
				collected or placed in housing unit mailboxes. Sealed mail that is not
				privileged will be opened and returned to the sender if the sender's identity
				can be determined. If the sender's identity cannot be determined, the mail
				shall be destroyed.
f) Each youth
				center shall establish procedures for the collection of outgoing mail.
				Collections shall be made daily, Monday through Friday, except on State
				holidays. Every effort shall be made to ensure that mail is delivered to the
				U.S. Postal Service on the same day.
g) Outgoing non-privileged mail shall be
				inspected for contraband. If a letter from a youth is confiscated because it
				contains contraband, the youth shall be notified promptly in writing.
h) Department employees may spot check and
				read outgoing non-privileged mail. Outgoing non-privileged mail or portions
				thereof may be reproduced or withheld from delivery if it presents a threat to
				security or safety, including the following:
1) The letter contains threats of physical
				harm against any person or threats of criminal activity;
2) The letter contains threats of blackmail
				or extortion;
3) The letter
				contains information regarding sending contraband into or out of the youth
				center, plans to escape, or plans to engage in criminal activity;
4) The letter is in code and its contents
				cannot be understood by youth facility staff;
5) The letter violates any departmental rules
				or contains plans to engage in activities in violation of departmental or
				institutional rules;
6) The letter
				solicits gifts, goods, or money from other than family members;
7) The letter contains information which, if
				communicated, might result in physical harm to another;
8) The letter contains unauthorized
				correspondence with another youth; or
9) The letter or contents thereof constitute
				a violation of State or federal law.