Correspondence is encouraged between an inmate and family/friends (outside the confines of the jail). There is no limitation on the volume of mail received or sent when inmate bears mailing costs. Inmate mail may be read, censored, or rejected. Inmates will be notified in writing as to the reason the correspondence/publication was rejected or withheld.
Updates to Inmate Mail Procedures
All inmate personal mail is going digital
Due to the ongoing safety and security concerns associated with sender verification and processing the privileged mail for our incarcerated population, the Martin County Sheriff's Office is implementing a new system to keep our staff and the inmate population safe. This new system is called TextBehind® DOCS. It is designed to achieve the following objectives:
1) Mitigate potential exposure to life-threatening contraband smuggled through bogus legal mail
2) Provide a reliable sender identity verification process
3) Allow the attorney to request a Video Evidence Recording of the mail-processing activity
4) Enhance the transparency and credibility of the mail-handling process for all corresponding parties
5) Allow a dynamic file access management system to the attorney to prevent unauthorized access to the data
All privileged mail content will remain encrypted in the system at all times. The system will require the attorney's permission whenever the data is to be accessed and processed for the inmate(s).
Starting Monday, December 9, 2024, any privileged mail sent directly to the Martin County Sheriff's Office through the postal service will be returned to the sender unless it meets the following criteria:
- The privileged mail envelope must display a valid MOVE (Mail Origin Verification) QR Code that you can download at no cost from the TextBehind DOCS web portal by taking the following steps:
- Please go to the https://docs.textbehind.com website to register for an account
- Add your desired inmate contact(s)
- Provide the identification documents (if required)
- Download your MOVE QR Code to print on the OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE. Please note that this QR Code may be dynamically generated based on various rules set up by the institution. These rules may be revised from time to time. Therefore, please follow the current rules specified on the TextBehind DOCS portal to avoid mail rejection.
- You are also encouraged to utilize the same TextBehind DOCS web portal to send the privileged mail online. There may be a nominal fee for the electronic option. Privileged mail sent electronically will be delivered to the inmate through tablets/kiosks. It may also be possible to print the same documents onsite in the presence of an inmate. If you would like us to record a video of this process, please include the Video Evidence Recording request at the time of submitting the privileged mail order online.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
After the new mail policy's effective date, any privileged mail envelopes received without a valid TextBehind MOVE QR Code will be returned to the sender without exception. Therefore, you are advised to visit the TextBehind DOCS portal to learn more and to register your account.
For all questions regarding the TextBehind DOCS system, please go to the CONTACT US section on their website.
To report any mail delivery issues, contact Text Behind support directly at info@TextBehind.com.
Guidelines
Legal/privileged mail should be mailed to:
Martin County Jail
C/O (Inmate Name)
800 SE Monterey Road
Stuart, FL 34994
All adhesive labels (including postage stamp) shall be removed prior to the inmate having possession. All legal/privileged mail shall be opened and inspected for contraband in the presence of the inmate.
Guidelines
Inmates are not permitted to be in possession of money while incarcerated in the Martin County Jail. When an inmate is initially received into the jail, an account is established in his/her name. Any monies in possession upon arrival into the jail will be placed into the inmate's established account. Upon release or transfer from the Martin County Jail, all money in the inmate's account will be returned in the form of a check, less any outstanding debts or fees owed.
Money may be deposited into an inmate's account by mailing a money order or certified bank check paid to the order of the inmate (see "Money Orders"). Money may also be deposited via the Kiosk located in the jail lobby. The Kiosk is similar to an ATM machine as cash may be deposited into an inmate's account, or you may deposit funds using a credit card. Funds may also be deposited online via TouchPay.
Deposits
Deposits are posted automatically with a receipt issued to the inmate the following business day. You must have the inmate's name and booking number (CFN) to make these deposits. If you do not know the CFN, you may locate it at the Jail Inmate Search page.
- To set up an account with TouchPay by phone, call 866-204-1603 (site number 234994)
- To set up an account or make a deposit with TouchPay online, visit the TouchPay website.
Guidelines
Money orders may be mailed to inmates in an envelope addressed to the facility and include the inmate’s name and booking number (CFN).
Martin County Jail
C/O (Inmate Name)
800 SE Monterey Road
Stuart, FL 34994
For deposit only must be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope or it will be returned to the sender/Postmaster. The funds will be deposited into the inmate’s account with a receipt provided to the inmate. If correspondence has been included in the envelope with the money order, the entire envelope and its contents will be returned to the sender/Postmaster.
Guidelines
Inmates may purchase writing materials (paper, pen, stamped envelopes) from the commissary. Upon request, indigent inmates may submit an Inmate Request Form to receive two USPS Postcards and a pen (as needed) to correspond with family members and friends. All mail will be searched for contraband. With the exception of legal/privileged mail, all mail is subject to screening. Mail is collected and distributed daily with the exception of weekends and holidays.
Guidelines
With the exception of legal mail and reading material received directly from the publisher/approved vendor, all packages will be returned to the sender/Postmaster. Packages will only be accepted if delivered via approved delivery service, such as USPS, FedEx, or United Parcel Service (UPS). Packages must have a return address or it shall be returned to the sender/Postmaster. Inmates will be notified in writing if a letter or package has been rejected/returned.
Effective January 1, 2025, the Martin County Jail will no longer accept books from outside sources.
Guidelines
A reading library is available to the inmates through the use of a mobile book cart exchange system. However, inmates may receive newspapers, books, and/or magazines that are received directly from the publisher or approved vendor via an approved delivery service.
Reading material is limited to 3 items to include books, magazines, and/or newspapers, not to exceed 3 total items (i.e, 1 book, 1 magazine, 1 newspaper; or 2 books and 1 magazine). Items received in excess will be returned to the sender/Postmaster.
Materials
All reading material is subject to review and approval and will be returned if it does not adhere to the following:
- No hardback books
- No instruction or explanation on the development, construction, or modification of:
- Electronic equipment
- Locking devices
- Software (case-by-case consideration)
- Weapons or explosives
- No material advocating hate or violence towards any ethnic/cultural or religious group
- No material advocating riots, in or out of institutional confines
- No material advocating or providing instructions or methods for escape
- No material depicting gangs or gang signs
- No material depicting the manipulation of others
- No material that has any potential to jeopardize the security or safety of inmates, staff, or the public
- No nudity, pornography, or sexually explicit material
- Paperback books not to exceed 9 by 12 by 2 1/2 inches
Effective January 1, 2025, the Martin County Jail will no longer accept books from outside sources.
Guidelines
9 am to 10 pm daily
Telephones are available to the inmates in each housing area. Only outgoing calls are permitted as inmate phones do not provide for incoming calls. All calls initiated by the inmates are "collect" to the person dialed.
If you have questions regarding your phone charges, would like to place a block on your phone, or unblock your phone, please call the inmate billing service, GTL, at 800-483-8314. View the GTL Services (PDF) for more information about available services.