Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

54010.8 Inspection and Reading of Incoming and Outgoing Mail

• All non-confidential inmate mail, incoming or outgoing, is subject to being read in its entirety by designated staff.

• All non-confidential inmate mail that is “returned to sender” shall be opened and inspected before being returned to the inmate.

• The only weight limits that can be imposed for incoming mail are outlined in DOMDepartment Operations Manual Section 54010.4.

• All incoming mail shall be inspected for contraband prior to issuance. Mail shall only be disallowed if it violates CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations Sections 3006, 3135, any other applicable regulations, or DOMDepartment Operations Manual Sections 54010.13 and 54010.14.

• Institutions shall not require incoming books, magazines, or newspapers to have an institution pre-approved “vendor approved” label affixed to the packaging. Per CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations Subsection 3133(b)(4), a departmentally approved vendor is any publisher, book store, or book distributor that does mail order business.

• Books, periodicals, or other publications that are mailed from a religious organization bookstore shall be considered as coming from an authorized vendor.