N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9, § 7334.6 – Contraband found in incoming youth correspondence.

(a) As used in this Part, the term contraband shall include any item which constitutes a threat to the safety, security, or operational stability of a facility, or the safety, security, or the health of a person.
(b) Incoming youth correspondence that is found to contain contraband shall be processed as follows:
1. (1) when contraband found in incoming youth correspondence may involve a criminal offense, the contraband shall be forwarded to the director, or designee, for disposition in accordance with facility procedures; and
2. (2) contraband found in incoming youth correspondence that does not involve a criminal offense but has personal or financial value, as determined by the director or designee, shall be returned to the sender at facility expense or retained by the facility for the youth. The disposition of such articles shall be inventoried and recorded in writing.
  1. (i) The director, or designee, shall give written notice to the intended youth recipient of any determination made pursuant to this paragraph. The written notice shall include:
    1. (a) the name and address of the sender;
    2. (b) the nature of the contraband; and
    3. (c) a statement of the specific facts and reasons underlying the determination.
  2. (ii) Subsequent to any determination made pursuant to this paragraph and upon removal of the contraband accompanying the correspondence, the director, or designee, shall forward such correspondence to the intended youth recipient.
(c) Cash, checks or money orders received through the mail shall be deposited in the personal cash account of the intended youth or forwarded to the director, or designee, for disposition in accordance with facility procedures. The youth shall be notified in writing of all amounts received and the disposition of such.