Merrimack County NH Department of Corrections

The Merrimack County House of Correction also incarcerates individuals from other jurisdictions, such as the New Hampshire State Prison, other county facilities, and federal inmates for the Department of Homeland Security and the US Marshal Service.

The DOC also has responsibility for individuals assigned to alternative sentencing programs, such as pre-trial release, the Merrimack County Academy, and the electronic monitoring program – raising the number of people under our to supervision to roughly 500 and/or be assigned to the County's Successful Offender Adjustment and Re-entry (SOAR) Program.

MAIL
All incoming mail must contain a complete return address (containing at least the sender’s first initial, full last name, street address, city, state, and zip code).
In compliance with our Rejected Materials Form, the following items are not permitted:
Restricted Items:

• Writing/drawing on an envelope, other than to/from address information, the words “photo, do not bend” or “legal mail”;
• Newspaper/magazine cutouts;
• Unused correspondence materials (postage stamps, envelopes, paper and/or cards);
• Publication from unauthorized vendor…publications must be received directly from the retailer;
• Hardcover books;
• Check, money order, or cash;
• Nude or semi-nude pictures of children or adults;
• Polaroid or matted photos;
• Does not meet the criteria for privileged or legal mail;
• Glitter, crayon, glue, tape, staples, stickers (other than a return address label on the outside of the envelope);
• Items that emit odor or other unknown substance;
• Laminated, cardboard, carbon paper items;
• Maps;
• Items larger than 8×10;
• Photos larger than 4×6;
• Evidence related to a pending investigation;
• Material pertaining to gambling;
• Third-party mail.

Publications and subscriptions:
Inmates may subscribe to three (3) magazines or publications which are mailed directly to the facility from the publisher or book store provided they are soft covered, brand new, and do not promote violence, unlawful behavior, or show or describe the manufacturing or fabrication of weapons or drugs.
Privileged Mail:
Mail to or from attorneys, authorized representatives acting on their official capacities, legal aid services, or other agencies providing legal services to inmates, or paraprofessionals having a bona-fide association with such agencies.
Incoming privileged mail may be opened for inspection. Privileged mail will be opened with the inmate present. The contents will not be read.
Non-Privileged Mail:
Mail consisting of social, leisure, and all other correspondence.
Incoming mail will be opened and examined for contraband prior to delivery. Inmates may be held liable for contraband found within mail addressed to them. Mail will not be delivered to the inmate if it contains material identified as contraband or compromises the safety and security of the Department. Contraband items will be destroyed, returned to sender, or placed in the inmate’s personal storage bin unless such items violate state/local law. Items violating state/local law will be forwarded to the Department’s Investigation Division.
Incoming mail will be forwarded to the Investigations Division through the Captain of Safety and Security if it is believed to contain information which may be a threat to the security of the institution and/or contain the following:
A. an attempt to incite violence based on race, religion, sex, creed or nationality;
B. advocate, facilitate, or otherwise present a risk of lawlessness, violence, anarchy, or rebellion against government authority, facility staff, and/or other inmates;
C. an attempt to give instructions for the manufacturing or use of intoxicants, alcohol, weapons, explosives, drugs, or other unlawful items or substances;
D. plans to escape, unauthorized entry into the facility, or information or maps that might aid in an escape attempt;
E. information relating to security threat group activities or the use of codes and/or symbols associated with security threat groups;
F. sexually explicit material or material that would be detrimental to the treatment of inmates or that would encourage or educate inmates in deviant or unlawful sexual practices by which its nature or content would also pose a threat to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution;
G. contents that would, if transmitted, create a clear and present danger of violence and physical harm to persons or property, or severe psychiatric or emotional disturbance to an inmate;
H. material that violates postal regulations, make unlawful threats or attempts at blackmail or extortion;
I. inmate to inmate mail; whether to or from this facility or other correctional institutions, unless approved by the Superintendent or designee.
J. material which is non-conducive to rehabilitative efforts.
Inmates found to be violating “no contact orders” will face disciplinary action.

Commissary Service – Inmates may purchase commissary provided they have available funds in their inmate account. Orders will be placed through the kiosk. Purchasing limits are specific to the inmate’s classification or housing assignment, with housing assignment taking priority. Inmates on restriction will have limited ability to order commissary. Hygiene and paper kits are available through commissary for inmates with no available funds. Commissary limits are as follows:

• Minimum (A/B/F Unit) $50.00
• Medium (F/G Unit) $40.00
• Maximum (C/D/E/F Unit) $30.00

Ordered are processed Tuesday mornings at 8:00 a.m. and are delivered on Friday. Inmates will be notified if an exception is to apply. Orders placed after this time will not be processed. Ordering, delivery, and pricing of items are subject to change at any time. Inmates released before receiving a previously placed commissary order will have fifteen (15) days to pick up the order.

Inmate Account

To deposit funds into an inmate’s account, you may do so through any of the following:

• Toll-Free Number – 1-866-345-1884
• Online – Web users can make deposits 24/7 at accesscorrections.com
• Lobby Kiosk – The kiosk machine is located in the main lobby of the facility and is available 24/7.

Funds are credited to an inmate’s account in real time. Deposits may be made through the Lobby kiosk using cash, credit or debit card. A fee will be assessed at the time of deposit. Fee amounts are based on the amount deposited. The depositor will receive a confirmation number upon successful completion of a deposit. Personal checks and money orders are not accepted. If received in the mail, they will be returned to sender.

Upon release, funds remaining on an inmate’s account will be released back to the inmate via debit card. If transferred to another facility, a check will be cut at the time of release and given to the transporting authority or mailed directly to the receiving facility.