Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

54010.14 Correspondence that is Offensive/Threatening/Contains Security Concerns

• Non-confidential correspondence may be disallowed if the text of such correspondence presents a danger or a threat of danger to any person or place. The authority to disallow such correspondence shall not be delegated below the level of Correctional/Facility Captain.

• Disagreement with the sender’s or receiver’s morals, values, attitudes, veracity, or choice of words shall not be cause for correctional staff to disallow mail. Correctional staff shall not challenge nor confront the sender or receiver with value judgments.

• Certain correspondence, including but not limited to the following, is disallowed, regardless of values or morals in order to ensure the safety and security of the institution/facility:

  • Any mail of a character tending to incite murder, arson, a riot, or any form of violence or physical harm to any person or any ethnic, gender, racial, religious, or other group.

  • Threatens blackmail or extortion.

  • Contraband, or sending or receiving contraband.

  • Concerns plans to escape or assist in an escape.

  • Concerns plans to disrupt the order, or breach the security of any institution/facility.

  • Concerns plans for activities which violate the law, these regulations, or local procedures.

  • Contains coded messages.

  • Describes the making of any weapon, explosive, poison, or destructive device.

  • Contains illustrations, explanations, and/or descriptions of how to sabotage or disrupt computers, communications, or electronics.

  • Contains maps depicting any area within a ten-mile radius of an institution/facility.

  • Contains gambling or lottery information or paraphernalia.

  • Contains obscene material in nature as described in Section 54010.15.

  • Contains human or animal hair, substances, or fluids.