Dane County Jail Takes Precautions with Incoming Mail

July 21, 2025
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

A warning shared by the Cook County Jail is prompting Dane County to advise deputies to be extra vigilant when handling mail coming into the jail. Currently, staff inspect every piece of mail coming into the jail for contraband or restricted items by hand.
The warning from Cook County points to a popular trend of people sending contraband into the jail: spraying Purple Raid onto a piece of paper. Undetectable to the naked eye, those who receive it put it under their tongue, smoke it, or eat it. The substance gives them a feeling of euphoria. 
Sheriff Kalvin Barrett is working to gain approval for a program that would digitally scan all mail coming into the jail. 
 “As a sheriff dedicated to the safety and security of our community, jail residents, and jail staff, I strongly advocate for implementing comprehensive jail mail scanning systems, said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett. “These advanced technologies are not merely tools for operational efficiency; they are critical lifesaving measures that protect jail residents, staff, and the broader public by preventing the introduction of dangerous contraband into our facilities.  The evidence is clear: jail mail scanning saves lives by addressing the growing threat of smuggled drugs, weapons, and other illicit materials that fuel violence, overdoses, and instability within our jails.” 
In 2024, four incidents were identified in which drugs were introduced into the Dane County Jail through the mail system. While this may seem like a relatively small number, it’s important to note that there were three in-custody deaths that same year, all involving drugs. A total of 41 drug-related investigations were conducted in the jail throughout 2024, indicating that the actual number of drug entries, including those potentially via mail, could be higher than confirmed cases. While not all incidents can be definitively traced, the correlation underscores the ongoing risk and the need for continued vigilance in preventing contraband from entering our facility.
A video featuring a story from Cook County can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TOr8b6QvnE.