New York scraps inmate care packages from home

ALBANY, NY- New York State is doing away with its policy which allowed families to send care packages to their loved ones in prison.

This move, according to state officials, is aimed to combat contraband and other illegal substances from flowing into the prison system.

Under this reformed standard, families will no longer be able to bring packages in-person during visits, nor will they have the option of mailing in boxes of goodies – unless such products originate from third-party vendors.

Although packages are screened in each New York prison network, outsiders have become crafty via slipping illegal substances, drugs and other contraband in with their care packages, including letters being soaked in substances.

In response, the revision will no longer allow inmates to receive letters directly, but rather a scanned copy.

The State’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has said these new policies are necessary to blunt the flow of contraband. 

Image courtesy via the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.