Commission of Correction approves Chicago County Jail request to use digital mail

The New York State Commission of Correction on Nov. 19 approved a variance requested by Chicago County Jail to scan incoming general correspondence to a vendor and provide it digitally to incarcerated individuals on facility-issued tablets. Chair called the motion, it was seconded, and the commission approved the measure by voice vote.

Unit Supervisor Larry Grell presented the request, saying the change was intended to reduce the ways contraband enters the facility and to align the jail with other places that already have similar variances. "...all incarcerated individuals are issued tablets at a 1 to 1 ratio. Incarcerated individuals are able to access the mail on the tablets," Grell said. Grell told commissioners the facility will continue to make originals available on release or transfer and that originals may be forwarded via U.S. Mail at the incarcerated individual's expense.

Commissioners questioned whether photographs sent in mail would be scanned, whether scans would be in color, and whether images remain stored on tablets. Grell said photos are scanned in color and that scanned mail remains in an individual’s tablet account; photocopy procedures remain available where facilities choose to produce a physical copy. The staff recommendation presented to the commission was to approve the variance through July 1, 2026, to align with existing variances.

The commission took a recorded voice motion and approved the request; the transcript records an affirmative voice vote. No named mover or seconder for the motion is recorded in the public transcript provided.