1. (1) Availability and Adult in Custody Access:

   1. (a) The Department of Corrections may, in its sole discretion, authorize eligible adults in custody in certain Department of Corrections facilities to exchange electronic messages with friends and family as a non-monetary incentive, subject to the conditions and circumstances set forth in these rules and in the department’s rules on Performance Recognition and Award System (PRAS) (OAR 291-077).
   2. (b) Adults in custody that are eligible to access electronic messaging may do so in accordance with these rules, contingent upon the payment of a fee to the third-party vendor.
   3. (c) Adults in custody shall not use the electronic messaging system to correspond with other adults in custody.

2. (2) Processing of Electronic Messages:

   1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in these rules, electronic messages will be processed in the same manner and be subject to the same standards established in these rules for the sending, receipt, and processing of other adult in custody mail. Electronic messages should be processed within two days of receipt.
   2. (b) Incoming electronic messages will be processed by an approved third-party vendor and delivered electronically to department mailrooms. Staff will review, and when necessary, print and deliver the messages to adults in custody. Outgoing electronic messages from adults in custody will be reviewed, scanned, and processed by department mailroom employees and forwarded to the approved third-party vendor for review, scanning, and posting.
   3. (c) All electronic messages will be subject to regular mail inspection and examination. No electronic message will be afforded special processing by department employees as legal mail or official mail.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 & 423.075

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 & 423.075

History

DOC 27-2024, amend filed 12/20/2024, effective 01/13/2025
DOC 9-2016, f. & cert. ef. 5-10-16