Mail To Inmates

Updated Policy

On November 15, 2021, the Bonneville County Jail changed the way mail is received and processed by partnering with Viapath Technologies (previously Telmate systems or GTL).  The Bonneville County Jail encourages regular use of the federal mail system to stay in contact with inmates.  Positive communication helps provide mental and emotional stability both the sender and the recipient.  Please adhere to the following rules and requirements to ensure your mail can be processed and delivered quickly and properly.  NOTE: All mail, with the exception of authorized legal mail and books and magazines from approved sources as noted in the general mail requirements and guidelines below, will need to be sent to the following address and in the following format:

Mailing Address

(Update from Viapath Technologies 10/26/2022 – mail sent to the previous address in San Antonio, TX will forward to the below address until Oct. 31st, 2022 – beginning Nov. 1st mail sent to the old address will be returned to sender.  There will be no system changes as a result of the below address update and all inmate identifier information will remain the same.)

Each envelope must be addressed to the inmate as follows:

Bonneville County Jail
(Full Inmate Name) ID# (Inmate ID #)
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD  21131

NOTE:

*Inmate ID # – is a unique number provided to each inmate at the time of booking.  If you do not know the Inmate ID # you can call the jail directly and speak with a Deputy: 208-529-1315

*Any mail items, other than legal mail or books/magazines (see #4), sent to inmates at the 605 North Capital or 900 Environmental Way address will not be accepted and returned to sender.

All mail correspondence to inmates will be scanned and delivered digitally to the inmate’s account on the Viapath Technologies tablets by “Earth Class”, a mail processing company.  There is no cost to the inmate and the mail item(s) will remain on their Viapath Technology account indefinitely.  Additionally, mail items that would be denied based on crayons, sticker and other substance concerns may be approved for viewing as long as the item falls within other safety and security content guidelines. 

All correspondence will continue to be reviewed by jail staff and may be denied based on content violating safety and security guidelines.  If any part of a mail item is denied based on safety and security concerns, the entire mail items will be denied, based on how the mail item is scanned into the system as a single piece of mail.

It is strongly recommended that no item of monetary or sentimental value be mailed to the inmates.  All mail items received by Earth Class will be retained for ninety (90) days and then destroyed.  The inmate may request a mail item be returned but must do so by contacting a Viapath representative within the allotted time by emailing info@TextBehind.com.  Any mail item(s) that are requested for return must be sent to an address other than the jail.

Additional information about mail services is available by calling Viapath Technology (Telmate) customer care line at 1-866-516-0115.

Mail Requirements and guidelines

  1. The envelope must have your full name and complete, correct return address written on the outside. Mail will not be delivered without this information.
  2. Envelopes my not contain letters from anyone other than the person(s) listed on the outside of the envelope. Exceptions are made for children under the age of 13.
    • Note: Since all correspondence will now be delivered digitally, inmates will not be given physical copies of mail items.  If you need legal documents, tax forms or other business forms delivered to an inmate, you may bring them directly to the jail and they will evaluated on a case by case basis for delivery. All items will be subject to the rules and standards as listed in #5. Additionally, anyone dropping items off must have and present valid governmental identification and fill out a property drop off form.
  3. All books and or magazines must be received directly from the publisher or a new book distributor and may not come directly from a local business unless that business has been approved by the Sheriff’s Office. Books and magazines must be sent as addressed below:
    • (Full Inmate Name)
      Bonneville County Jail
      605 North Capital
      Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
  4. Additionally, the Bonneville County Jail will not accept the following:
    1. Used books from any source;
    2. Blank sheet paper in any form (i.e. loose sheet paper, journals, paper tablets, blank envelopes etc.)  The jail provides blank paper to the inmate population at no cost.
    3. Stamps or stamped envelopes.  Inmates can purchase these items through the commissary program.  Indigent inmates are provided two (2) stamped envelopes each week at no cost;
    4. Any item with heavily colored areas, such as crayon, colored pencils, paint*;
    5. Any item with stains, watermarks or any substance foreign to the paper product*;
    6. Any item containing glitter, or glitter-like substance*;
    7. Any item containing stickers, either on the envelope or inside contents*;
    8. Any item containing tape or glue, in any form*;
    9. Items containing paperclips, staples or other metal bindings*;
    10. Any item containing a porous or abnormal texture (i.e. rippled, ribbed or grainy texture)*;
    11. Any multi-layered items or items made of excessively thick card stock or cardboard*;
    12. Any item containing electronic devices or equipment (i.e. greeting cards that play music)*;
    13. Any food or drink items.  Any perishable food item(s) received may be disposed of, at the discretion of jail staff, for health and safety reasons;
    14. Any Polaroid™ style photographs, or photographs containing nudity or gang related images*;  
    15. Any item(s) with perfume, cologne, lip-stick or other beauty or hygiene products, applied to them*; AND,
    16. Newspapers or newspaper clippings.

* Earth Class may accept these items for scanning.  Scanned images of these items may be viewable by inmates as long as they fall within other safety and security guidelines for content.

The Bonneville County Jail recognizes each inmate’s right to utilize the federal mail system to communicate and connect to family, friends, legal representatives, etc.  it also recognizes the mail system as a means for dangerous contraband to be introduced into the jail.  We carefully process and inspect each piece of mail within the scope and limitations of federal, state and local law in an attempt to maintain inmate safety and facility security.  Items will be approved or denied on an individual case-by-case basis.

If mail item scans are denied the inmate and sender will both be notified. Inmates may utilize the inmate request system to appeal any denial of mail items which shall be addressed in accordance with jail policy and procedures.

Additional Jail Information