McCreary Penitentiary is modifying their procedures for how inmates receive incoming correspondence (see attachment). While the rationale for doing so is understandable (safety for inmates, staff, etc.), the degree to which the penitentiary is modifying the procedures is ultimately insufficient, and likely to hinder the already limited options the inmates have to improve their situation.

Specifically:

"Correspondence will  be photocopied in black and white on a standard setting. Staff are not responsible for correspondence that photocopies poorly." The information contained within correspondence could conceivably mean the difference between further incarceration and release. This is too important to be dismissed to poor equipment. The staff should be responsible for getting a legible copy of the document to the inmate, even if it means bringing the original to them.

"Once photocopied, the originals will be maintained for a period of no less than 30 days and then destroyed." Again, based on the potential sensitivity of the information, the penitentiary should either provide a means for storing and retrieving the correspondence or return the originals to the sender.

They also aren't allowing greeting cards. It's just too much. They already have enough restrictions as it is when it comes to connecting with loved ones. They don't need this on top of it. Let the McCreary Penitentiary know that the prisoners are becoming much too restricted when it comes to their correspondence with others and that they can't be micromanaged to the point where they barely have any contact with others.