San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore has a message for jail inmates: No more letters, the Associated Press reports. Letters for inmates in the county’s seven jails will be returned to senders starting Sept. 1. It is an effort to prevent contraband from entering cells. Commander Richard Miller says drugs, weapons, and needles have been hidden in letters. He recognizes that letter-writing is an inexpensive way to communicate, but says safety concerns prevailed.
Correspondence between inmates and their lawyers, courts, and law enforcement agencies may still be sent. Inmates will have to rely on e-mail and postcards to communicate with other outsiders. Postcards cannot be taped together or marked with paint, crayon, glitter, labels, stains, or cosmetics.