Legal intake has been a practice of the ACLU of Wisconsin for as long as anyone can remember. This practice of receiving reports from individuals, family members, and others impacted by the carceral system is a key part of the work of the affiliate’s legal team, and over the years has contributed to the work that the affiliate has done in relation to improving prison conditions across the state.

I sat down with Nour Kalbouneh, ACLU of Wisconsin paralegal, to learn more about the affiliate’s legal mail intake process and to talk about the impacts of legal mail on those on the inside of our state’s carceral system.  

Tina: Tell me about the legal mail intake process here at the ACLU of Wisconsin?

Nour: People who are incarcerated here in Wisconsin send us letters about issues they are having and the rights that are potentially being violated. I read the letters, put the information into the legal database, coding it based on the issues being presented, and then send a response back to the individual with resources based on their situation. Our legal department can’t represent everyone that requests help – last year we received over 3,000 requests via voicemails, email, and mail –  so we make sure that everyone receives some kind of pertinent information, lists of civil rights attorneys, and other resources. We’ve recently moved towards an online intake process and we anticipate that the number of intakes will increase with this new system.

Tina: So information about all of these requests get put into a database. How is this information used?

Nour: Because we are coding the information based on location, issues raised, etc., we can run a variety of reports that will help us to identify trends, whether issues are institutional or individual, or system wide. This allows our legal team to determine if there are opportunities for impact litigation to create systemic change, or non-litigation tactics such as Open Records Requests, or something as simple as providing a new resource to address an emerging concern that may serve as a deterrent for issues to escalate. This information can also be used to cross reference with community partners who may be hearing specific issues and allow us to partner with them and support them.

Tina: What is the process like when the ACLU of Wisconsin sends mail to someone on the inside?

Nour: There are a lot of rules based on what you are allowed to send in to someone. Currently, the actual physical mail is never received by the individual – it currently is photocopied offsite and the copy is sent to the individual, and often it isn’t copied correctly, and by the time it is received, the original has often been discarded. People also don’t realize that there are limitations on sending items such as books, writing materials, and stamps. Most of these items have to be purchased directly from the commissary, and often at prices more expensive than normal.

Legal mail is sent directly to the specific institution. Before the policy change, legal mail wasn’t allowed to be photocopied or read, just opened and given to the individual. Now, it goes through a photocopying process which has potential for breaking attorney/client privilege, and there are certain documents where having the originals is necessary.

Tina: In your experience, what are some of the other ways that receiving physical mail can impact incarcerated people?

Nour: Any mail that is sent to individuals inside institutions are important and can play a significant part in harm reduction for those within the carceral system. Besides the impact on mental health, receiving mail, especially legal mail, can be an indication that an individual has people who care about them, who are paying attention to their well-being, and would notice if something happened to them. There is a value to individuals within institutions reporting on issues that they are experiencing – institutions often underestimate the value of this mail, but it really can make a difference.

Thank you Nour for your time and for the important work that you and the rest of the legal team does to protect the civil rights and liberties of those who are impacted by the carceral system.

This past week, a Dane County Circuit Judge overturned key aspects of Act 10. While some heralded the likely temporary dissolution of Act 10, some of Wisconsin’s top officials said they wouldn’t stop until it was back in place.

But first, let’s back up and explain what Act 10 is.

Act 10 was established in 2011 and limits public employees' right to collectively bargain. Wage increases cannot exceed the inflation rate. All other employment conditions, including benefits packages like healthcare, dental, vacation, and sick time, and working conditions, like considerations of safety on the job, are not up for debate with employees.

Act 10 applies to all public sector employees. However, police officers and firefighters are noticeably absent from this list. Police were able to keep their union protections despite all other public employees losing theirs.

After the news broke about Act 10, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos released a statement claiming that “Act 10 has saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $16 billion” and said he looked forward to arguing for its reimplementation once it is appealed.

I was shocked that so many people condemned the overturning of Act 10 and praised this law, which essentially bars working-class public sector employees – like teachers and public bus drivers – from exercising their right to collectively bargain.

But let’s be honest about what this is – yet another way for politicians to take rights and money from the working class. Worse, this narrative demonizes working-class public employees as somehow being greedy for wanting a livable wage and fair working conditions.

These employees are your neighbors, your friends, your family. Do we think a teacher making $50,000 should have to pay $100 a month towards their insurance because they couldn’t negotiate their health benefits? Is taking away the right of a construction worker not to have a say about safety conditions on the job the answer to righting our economic wrongs in Wisconsin?

Everyone deserves to be paid fairly regardless of race, sex, age, disability, or national origin. Everyone should have the right to join a union, which the U.S. Constitution protects.

Unions are one way of allowing employees a seat at the table and ensuring that corporations are not exploiting their workers. They can be a powerful force for securing civil rights and liberties.

Politicians should stop pitting the working class against each other and instead address the issues facing their constituents. There’s still much work to do to ensure that all workers are treated fairly, but one thing remains clear: workers deserve rights, liveable wages, and dignity.

In Wisconsin prisons, a new policy trend is replacing physical mail with photocopies. For those who haven’t experienced incarceration, this change might seem minor – an administrative adjustment to improve security. But as someone who has lived through incarceration and experienced the profound impact of receiving physical mail, I can tell you that this shift robs incarcerated people of one of the few deeply human connections they have left.

During my time in prison, receiving physical letters from loved ones and friends was a lifeline. Holding a letter in my hands and knowing that it had been written, touched, and sent with care by someone who believed in me gave me a sense of connection that nothing else in that environment could provide.

Replacing this connection with sterile photocopies threatens to erase an essential aspect of what keeps people hopeful, motivated, and connected to the outside world.

My Experience with Physical Mail

During my time in prison, letters were my lifeline. The simple act of opening an envelope and feeling the paper within was deeply grounding. I could hold onto those letters, reread them when I felt lost, and remind myself that someone out there cared about me. The weight of the paper and the handwriting on the page carried the presence of the person who had sent it.

Physical mail was more than words on paper– it was a reminder that I hadn’t been forgotten. Those letters gave me something to hold onto, literally and emotionally. They helped me stay hopeful in an environment designed to strip away my sense of self and, for me, being a woman. 

When I imagine those same letters replaced by photocopies, I feel a deep sadness for those who are incarcerated now. The thought of receiving a copy instead of the real thing – of being handed a bland replica of what used to feel so personal – is heartbreaking.

Why Physical Mail Matters

For anyone who has been incarcerated, physical mail is about far more than words on a page.  It is a tangible reminder of life outside prison walls. When someone takes the time to write and send a letter, it reminds the person that they matter, that they are loved, and that they are still connected.

Here’s why physical mail is so important:

1. Emotional Connection: Holding a real letter creates a sense of intimacy and closeness.  A photocopy cannot replicate this feeling.
2. Mental Health Benefits: Physical letters provide a sense of comfort and reassurance, offering something to look forward to in an isolating environment.  
3. Motivation: Letters remind people incarcerated that they are loved, valued, supported and needed. This gives them the drive to improve themselves and prepare for life after release.

The policy of replacing physical mail with photocopies strips away all of these benefits. It may seem like a small change, but its impact is enormous and, for some, forever lasting. 

The Bigger Picture

Prison is supposed to focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment. One of the most important factors in successful rehabilitation is maintaining strong ties with the outside world. Family and community support are proven to reduce recidivism, helping people reintegrate into the community after release.

When I received letters in prison, they reminded me of the life I wanted to rebuild, giving me hope and motivation. For others who may have children, letters from their kids can be even more powerful, serving as a constant reminder of their responsibilities and the future they want to create.

Replacing physical mail with photocopies damages these connections. It sends a message to people incarcerated that their humanity – and the love of their families – matters less than bureaucratic convenience.

Addressing Security Concerns Without Sacrificing Humanity

The shift to photocopies is often justified by concerns about contraband being smuggled into prisons through the mail. These concerns can be addressed without completely replacing physical mail.

Here are some potential solutions:

1. Enhanced Screening Technology: Modern mail-screening tools can detect contraband without destroying the original letters.
2. Staff Training: Better training for prison staff can improve the effectiveness of manual mail inspections.
3. Community Education: Families and supporters can be educated about what is and isn’t allowed in prison mail to reduce the risk of contraband.

These measures can ensure safety while still preserving the dignity and humanity of people incarcerated.

Why We Need to Advocate for the Return of Physical Mail

For those who have never been incarcerated, it can be hard to understand how much a letter can mean. However, for someone behind bars, physical mail is often the only connection they have to the outside world.  It’s not just a piece of paper- it’s a symbol of love, hope and connection.

As someone who has experienced the power of physical mail firsthand, I believe we need to fight for its return. Photocopies cannot replace the real thing. They cannot replicate the emotional impact of holding something your loved one has touched, seeing their handwriting on the page, or the picture your child drew.