Attorney FAQ

All individuals in IDOC custody are allowed to accept confidential mail communications from their attorneys. Additionally, with advance notification, private visiting arrangements can be made for attorneys on the individual in custody’s visiting list. General population individuals may make collect calls to their attorneys on monitored phone lines for non-confidential communications. However, arrangements for unmonitored phone calls between attorneys and clients is an exception provided on a case-by-case basis. Unmonitored calls are generally only approved if other means of communicating are not adequate, and the prison is able to accommodate the call.

In determining whether the prison will arrange an unmonitored phone call, IDOC will consider court deadlines, which, if missed, could prejudice the client's legal interest.

The general rules on legal mail, visits, and phone calls are set forth in the Department Rule 525. (See 20 ILAC 525). The following clarifying information is intended to help you communicate with your client.

All individuals in custody may receive privileged communications from their attorneys. Attorneys should be aware of the following procedures:
1. On the outside of the envelope, clearly mark privileged mail as "Legal" or "Privileged" and put your name, title and return address. Senders will also include a “Control Number” in the mailing address. To generate a one-time-use, unique control number, the sender will log on to IDOC’s MFA website.

2. Legal mail may only contain communications from the person whose name is on the outside of the envelope. Including third party correspondence or sending non-legal correspondence as privileged mail is prohibited. When an envelope arrives at a facility purporting to be legal mail from a law firm, law office, or legal clinic, IDOC mailroom staff will use the MFA system to verify that the Control Number in the mailing address was generated by the user whose Sender ID Number is included in the return address on the envelope.
3. Incoming legal mail shall be opened in the presence of the addressee to inspect for contraband, to verify the identity of the sender, and to determine that nothing other than legal matter is enclosed.
4. IDOC will not accept faxed communications on behalf of individuals in custody.
5. Do not include pre-embossed envelopes, pre-stamped envelopes, postage stamps or plain envelopes in the mail to the individual in custody.

IDOC is implementing a multi-factor authentication (MFA) mail system that will enable staff to verify the legitimacy of the sender before distributing the original physical documents to mail recipients.  

How It Works

Attorneys and non-licensed legal staff must register on IDOC’s MFA website to use the system. Each registered user will have a unique username and password to log in.

To send legal correspondence to a client, a user logs in to the MFA website to generate a one-time-use, unique “Control Number” to include in the mailing address on the envelope.

When an envelope arrives at a facility purporting to be legal mail from a law firm, law office, or legal clinic, IDOC mailroom staff will use the MFA system to verify that the Control Number in the mailing address was generated by the user whose Sender ID Number is included in the return address on the envelope.

Once fully implemented, envelopes missing the Sender ID or Control Number, or those with an incorrect Sender ID or Control Number, will be returned to the sender.

Registered users can check the status of a specific envelope on the MFA website.

Implementation

Licensed attorneys and non-licensed legal staff may now register for the MFA Mail System. Outreach and training will continue throughout 2025. A grace period will be observed to allow users to register and learn the system. IDOC will provide advance notice regarding the end of the grace period.

Registration Instructions

Licensed attorneys and non-licensed legal staff may register to use the MFA Mail System here.

MFA Mail System User Guide for Licensed Attorneys

MFA Mail System User Guide for Non-Licensed Legal Staff

Additional Information  

Any questions regarding the MFA Mail System or the registration process can be sent to DOC.MFAMail@illinois.gov. If you experience technical difficulties while using the MFA website, please contact the Department of Innovation and Technology’s Help Desk: 217-524-3648 (Springfield), 312-814-3648 (Chicago), or 866-277-5669 (TTY Support Line).

Requests for confidential attorney-client legal visits may be requested but must be approved in advance. Visiting areas for confidential legal visits are limited. Therefore, in addition to the facility visitation rules, the following additional requirements apply to legal visits:

1. The visit must be scheduled in advance. A request for an attorney/client visit must be in writing from the attorney and faxed to the facility where the client is currently incarcerated at least two business days prior to the requested date of the visit.
2. The written request must contain the following information:
       a. The client's name and IDOC identification number;
       b. The preferred date and time of the requested visit; and
       c. The name, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address (optional), and attorney registration number of the attorney requesting the visit.
3. Information about where an individual in custody is housed as well as the facility's location and phone number can be obtained on this website under "Individual in Custody Search" and "Facilities".
4. The Attorney will be given confirmation either by fax or e-mail as to whether the proposed visit is granted. Attorneys who arrive at a facility without prior approval for the visit will not be allowed a confidential legal visit.
5. Attorneys must present two forms of identification to enter the prison; one of which must be a photo ID. Identification must include the attorney's date of birth and current address. Attorneys are also required to present their current attorney registration card.
6. Law students (Supreme Court Rule 711 certification) working with an attorney will also be allowed attorney/client visits. A law student must submit proof of 711 certification and a written statement signed by the attorney attesting that the student is working under the attorney's supervision. The written statement must also include the name of the attorney's client with whom the student is seeking a confidential visit.
7. Attorneys arriving for a legal visit are reminded not to bring telephones, pagers, computers, or other similar electronic contraband into the facility. Additionally, tobacco products and metal binding clips are prohibited.
8. Visitation may be temporarily suspended during an institutional lockdown. It is recommended that attorneys contact the facility prior to departure to confirm that the client has not been transferred and that visitations at the facility have not been suspended. Lockdown status for a particular facility can also be found on this website under the link to "Facilities".

Attorneys wishing to speak with a client concerning confidential and privileged matters should contact the facility where the individual is housed for current procedures.

A subpoena for records should be served on the prison facility where the records are located and not at the Chicago or Springfield IDOC Offices. The subpoena should be addressed to the facility 'Record Officer Supervisor.' The facility of any current individual in custody or former facility of any individual on parole or mandatory supervised release can be found here.

A subpoena for records should be served on the prison facility where the records are located and not at the Chicago or Springfield IDOC Offices. The subpoena should be addressed to the facility 'Record Officer Supervisor.' The facility of any current individual in custody or former facility of any individual on parole or mandatory supervised release can be found here.

Please be advised, there are copying costs for records.

Pursuant to 730 ILCS 5/3-5-1 an individual in custody may request a summary of their master record file once per year and an individual in custody’s attorney may request one summary of their client’s master record file once per year. The form to request a Master Record File Summary is available here.