1. (1) OYA realizes it is important for YICs in its custody to maintain ties with the community through written correspondence with community members, family, and friends. Within the administration of its facilities and programs, OYA seeks to balance the positive effects of community contact with the responsibilities and values of the agency's mission.
   (2) All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection.
   (3) A YIC's right to send and receive mail will be protected unless the correspondence threatens the preservation of order, security, or discipline of a facility/program; poses a threat to the safety of the program, public officials, or the general public; is being used to further illegal activities; or at the court's direction.
   (4) YIC correspondence is designated official or personal.
   (5) OYA will provide the equivalent of three stamps per week for YICs who have no financial resources to maintain ties to the community, including letters to family, friends, or other persons who are involved in the YIC's life. Otherwise, no limits will be placed on the amount of business or personal correspondence a YIC sends or receives.
   (6) Personal mail may be inspected for contraband. Official mail will remain sealed but may be opened and inspected for contraband in the presence of the YIC. Contraband items will be removed and documented. Appropriate contents will be delivered to the YIC or recipient.
   (7) All mail will:
   (a) Be placed in an envelope or appropriate packaging acceptable by the official mail carrier;
   (b) Include a sending and return address on the envelope or package;
   (c) Contain appropriate postage;
   (d) Be sent via the U.S. Postal Service or other official mail carriers, such as Federal Express, United Parcel Service, or the state shuttle.
   (A) Official correspondence may be sent using U.S. postage and official carrier, or without postage using the facility's internal delivery system or state shuttle mail system, depending upon the intended recipient.
   (B) Personal correspondence must be sent via the U.S. Postal Service or other official mail carrier. It is not appropriate to use the state shuttle mail system to send personal correspondence.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 420A.025

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 419C.478, 420A.015, 420.011, 420.014, 420A.025 & 420A.105

History

OYA 5-2023, amend filed 01/10/2023, effective 01/10/2023
OYA 3-2009, f. 7-21-09, cert. ef. 7-27-09
OYA 17-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-29-05
OYA 11-2002, f. & cert. ef. 5-17-02
OYA 2-1995, f. 12-19-95, cert. ef. 1-2-96