The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department has changed its incoming mail policy for the jail to keep drugs and other contraband out of inmates’ hands.
“We are finding an increase in drugs, mostly suboxone, coming in through mail to our inmates,” said Sheriff Matt Myers. Suboxone contains a combination of buprenorphine, an opioid medication and naloxone, which blocks the effect of opioid medication.
Suboxone can slow or stop a person’s breathing and can be habit-forming even at regular doses, with misuse leading to addiction, overdose or death, Myers said.
In order to reduce the chances of this type of contraband getting to inmates, Myers has ordered that no incoming correspondence with colored paper or colored envelopes, including cards or postcards, will be allowed.
Only plain white paper and non-security envelopes will be allowed, he said. No crayon, colored pencil or marker correspondence will be allowed. Anything with fragrance, stains or discolorations will not be allowed. All stamps will be removed and discarded. Myers also said all envelopes must contain the full name and address of the sender.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
