Michigan Department of Corrections Updates Prison Legal Mail Procedures Ahead of January Policy Shift

December 15, 2025

Michigan's Department of Corrections will begin photocopying all legal mail sent to incarcerated individuals starting January 5, eliminating the long-standing exception that allowed attorney-client documents to be delivered in original form. Officials justify this policy change by pointing to synthetic drugs entering prisons through paper soaked in chemical substances, which are increasingly being disguised as privileged legal correspondence. The new procedure requires staff to photocopy legal documents in the recipient's presence before immediately shredding originals to maintain confidentiality while preventing contraband circulation.

Who is affected

Approximately 32,000 people currently incarcerated in Michigan's 26 prison facilities
Michigan Department of Corrections staff and employees
Attorneys and legal representatives communicating with incarcerated clients
MDOC Director Heidi Washington and the department administration
Civil rights groups (nationally) concerned about access to original legal documents

What action is being taken

MDOC is implementing a new policy starting January 5 to photocopy all legal mail
Staff will photocopy legal documents in the presence of intended recipients
Original legal materials are being immediately shredded after copying to preserve confidentiality
The department is working to reduce contraband and improve staff safety through this expanded mail screening process

Why it matters

This policy change represents a significant shift in how correctional facilities balance security concerns with constitutional protections for attorney-client privilege. The rise of synthetic drugs that can be concealed on paper has created a documented public health crisis, with the CDC reporting elevated overdose deaths and medical incidents in correctional settings nationwide. The decision affects fundamental due process rights for tens of thousands of incarcerated individuals who rely on confidential legal correspondence to access the courts and maintain their legal defenses. The policy also reflects a nationwide trend of at least 18 states grappling with similar synthetic drug challenges, indicating this is part of a broader transformation in how prisons manage contraband in an era of evolving drug threats.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle