Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation - Operations Manual

Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

Article 41 – Inmate Mail

Revised June 5, 2017

All incoming paperback and hardback books, and any enclosures within them, must be inspected prior to being altered and/or issued; per CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations Section 3134; to ensure that they comply with CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations Sections 3006, and 3135 and DOMDepartment Operations Manual Sections 54010.13 and 54010.14.
For hardback books, staff shall allow the inmate to determine whether he/she will accept the book with the cover removed or, if he/she declines that option, decide how it is to be disposed of per CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations Section 3191(c). If the inmate chooses to accept the hardback book staff shall, in front of the inmate, remove the entire cover from the book. Before removing the cover, staff shall insure that it does not violate any other departmental policy. If upon removal of the cover the book becomes unstable (the pages are no longer bound together), staff shall take measures to ensure that the pages are kept intact, such as with a rubber band or a clip.
Delivery by staff shall be completed as soon as possible, but not later than 15 calendar days after the institution receives the book, except during the holiday season and during modified programs of affected inmates.
Hardback books shall be processed and issued from a designated distribution area.