Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 291 - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Division 131 - MAIL (AIC)
Section 291-131-0026 - Electronic Messaging

(a) The Department of Corrections may, in its sole discretion, authorize eligible inmates 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 Performance Recognition and Award System (PRAS) rules (OAR 291-077).

(b) Inmates 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.

(c) Inmates shall not use the electronic messaging system to correspond with other inmates.

(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 inmate mail. Electronic messages should be processed within two days of receipt.

(b) Incoming electronic messages will be processed by an approved third-party vendor and delivered electronically to department mail rooms. Staff will review, and when necessary, print and deliver the messages to inmates. Outgoing electronic messages from inmates will be reviewed, scanned, and processed by department mail room staff and forwarded to the approved third-party vendor for review, scanning, and posting.

(c) All electronic messages will be subject to regular mail inspection and examination. No electronic message will be afforded special processing by department staff as legal mail or official mail.