Family and Friends Newsletter|September 2021

Missouri Department of Corrections sent this bulletin at 09/29/2021 10:58 AM CDT

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missouri department of corrections

Family and Friends Newsletter | September 2021

Visiting Resumes Oct. 1

ACC Visiting room

With COVID-19 case numbers falling and vaccination rates rising in our facilities, the Missouri Department of Corrections is happy to announce we will reopen visiting in adult institutions for all eligible offenders, regardless of vaccination status, beginning Friday, Oct. 1.

To protect the health and safety of residents, visitors and staff, COVID protocols, including mask requirements and screenings for symptoms, will be in place.

  • Visits must be scheduled in advance in accordance with each facility's protocols. Each visitor will be responsible for contacting the facility to schedule the visit.
  • Offenders are allowed no more than two visitors per visit. Infants and children younger than 24 months are not included in the two-person limit.
  • All visitors and offenders are required to wear a face cover or mask while in the visiting area.
  • All visitors must pass a COVID-19 screening with a temperature check prior to entering the check-in area.
  • Visiting rooms operate at 75% capacity.
  • Electrostatic sprayers with vital oxide disinfectant are used to clean visiting rooms before and after each visiting session.

Please review visiting guidelines at doc.mo.gov.

Thank you for your patience throughout the pandemic.

New Tablet Model coming soon

JP6 tablet

JPay will be introducing the new JP6S tablet in MO DOC beginning on October 11. The current JP5S tablet has been discontinued by the manufacturer, so new and/or refurbished JP5S tablets are no longer available. If an offender has an open order for a JP5S tablet, it will be cancelled, and any money paid will be refunded to their JPay media account (if applicable).

The global supply shortages of electronic chips, components and equipment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted JPay’s tablet inventory. The future launch of the JP6S tablet, in October, will provide adequate time to receive and stock the tablet inventory needed to support the current and future needs of MO DOC customers. JPay sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused by these tablet inventory issues and will work to resolve them as quickly as possible.

Additionally, JPay discontinued sale of the JP5 statewide on September 15, 2021. Anyone with an active JP5S order that is canceled will be able to order a JP6S beginning October 11.  Orders for the JP6S tablet must be placed through the JPay kiosk on or after October 11. The cost of the JP6S is $129.95. The tablet policy for new and returning individuals is unchanged.

National Recovery Month

National Recovery Month 2021

National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to promote and support evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, a strong recovery community and the dedication of service providers and community members who make recovery possible.

In a proactive collaborative approach including corrections staff, community volunteers and treatment providers, corrections facilities offer:

  • Substance use assessments and treatment referrals
  • Cognitive-behavioral interventions for substance abuse
  • Addiction counseling
  • 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
  • Intensive therapeutic communities whose residents commit to lifestyle changes
  • Institutional treatment centers providing substance abuse treatment
  • Co-occurring services for individuals with both substance use and mental health needs

Bicentennial Parade Float Illustrates Offender Talent

Bicentennial float

The Missouri Department of Corrections' Bicentennial parade float was designed, constructed and hand-painted by offenders at Jefferson City Correctional Center. The float was a model depicting the old Missouri State Penitentiary, in operation from 1836 to 2004. Around 15-20 offenders from JCCC's restorative justice program and the Missouri Vocational Enterprise furniture factory worked on the float. Many of the offenders who worked on the float used to live in the housing unit it depicts.  Warden Falkenrath praised the contribution made by the offenders.lick to edit this placeholder text.

Family Notes

Incarceration of a son or daughter can be particularly difficult  for parents who want to protect their children from manipulation and exploitation by other incarcerated individuals. If you suspect nefarious activity or if your loved one is asking you to send funds to another inmate or to another inmate's family/friends, including via JPay or a CashApp, be aware that this is indicative of illegal activity. If another inmate is promising your child protection in exchange for your payment, be aware that this is prohibited, and if the offender demanding payment is caught, disciplinary action will be taken. Do not fall for this scam! 

If you are concerned for your loved one’s safety, call the facility and speak to his or her case manager to discuss your concerns. Additionally, you may call the Crime Tips Hotline at (573) 526-7000 to report inappropriate or illegal activities. Be sure to include specific details. Inmates also can report concerns anonymously at *9555 from an offender phone within the prison. 

Keeping illegal activities out of the prisons keeps everyone safer. 

Adult child