Mail & Packages in Wisconsin (WI DOC)
How Wisconsin handles incoming mail — personal mail is scanned off-site by TextBehind, legal mail goes to the institution, and books come from approved vendors.
How personal mail works now
Incoming personal mail to a Wisconsin state prison does not go to the institution. WI DOC routes personal mail to an off-site vendor, TextBehind, which opens and photocopies each item and forwards copies to the institution; people with tablets may also receive electronic photos. Address personal mail this way:
[Incarcerated person's full name]
[DOC number]
[Full facility name — do not abbreviate]
TextBehind
P.O. Box 189
Phoenix, MD 21131The facility name must be written in full, without abbreviation, so the vendor can route the scanned mail to the correct institution. The DOC number identifies the person; it can be confirmed through the WI DOC offender locator.
Legal and privileged mail
Legal and privileged mail — from attorneys, courts, and public officials — is exempt from the off-site scanning process and goes directly to the institution at its own legal-mail address, not to the TextBehind center in Maryland. Each facility has its own legal-mail address; confirm it with the institution or on the facility’s official WI DOC page.
Books, magazines, and newspapers
Books and other publications must come from an approved vendor and be shipped directly from the retailer, with a receipt — not from family or friends. These go to the facility’s own address, not the TextBehind scanning center. Specific approved-vendor lists and any title restrictions are set by WI DOC; confirm the current requirements with the facility.
Packages
Wisconsin handles packages through a quarterly package program rather than general care packages from individuals. Orders are placed through approved vendors — Union Supply Direct, Jack L. Marcus, and Access Securepak/Keefe — shipped directly to the facility, with a limit of about $150 per vendor per quarter. Visitors may not bring or drop off items at the institution.
Sending money
Money is handled separately from mail and runs through Access Corrections (“Access Secure Deposits”), not through the TextBehind mail center. Money sent by mail goes to the Access Corrections lockbox, not to the facility or to Maryland with personal letters. See Sending Money.
Tablets and messaging
WI DOC’s communications vendor is ICSolutions, which provides tablets and electronic messaging through the ICS/GettingOut platform. People with tablets may receive electronic photos of scanned personal mail. See Phone & Video Calls.
Verify Before Acting
Sources
This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.