La. Admin. Code tit. 22 § III-3105

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section III-3105 - Mail

A. Outgoing letters from inmates will be submitted unsealed and may be inspected and censored by the institutions.

B. An outgoing letter from an inmate may be disapproved if it falls into any of the following categories:

1. it contains threats of physical harm against any person or threats of criminal activity;

2. it threatens blackmail or extortion;

3. it concerns transport of contraband in or out of the institution;

4. it contains plans for escape;

5. it concerns plans for activities which violate institution rules;

6. it concerns plans for criminal activities;

7. it is in code and its contents are not understood by the reader;

8. it solicits gifts or goods or money from other than family;

9. it contains information which if communicated would create clear and present danger of violence or physical harm to a human being.

C. If an inmate is prohibited from sending a letter, he will be given back the letter with a written and signed notice citing the specific reason for disapproval and indicating the portion or portions of the latter involved.

D. Incoming letters to inmates may be inspected and censored by the institution in accordance with procedures in this Section.

E. An incoming letter may be disapproved only for reasons listed in Subsections A and B above.

F. If an inmate is prohibited from receiving a letter, the letter will be returned to the sender with a written notice citing the specific reason for the refusal, and the inmate will be notified of the rejection, the reason, and the name of the sender.

G. Outgoing letters to courts, recognized attorneys at law, governmental agencies and elected officials shall not be opened or read unless for security reasons, and will be submitted sealed by the inmate with the title or position of the addressee clearly marked on the envelope.

H. Incoming letters from courts, recognized attorneys at law, governmental agencies and elected officials may be opened for inspection, but only in the presence of the inmate recipient and without being read for content.

I. The administration shall establish a written procedure for inmate grievances involving mail, including method for written compliant, formal hearing, and written notice of complaint disposition.

La. Admin. Code tit. 22, § III-3105

Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, LR 6:599 (October 1980).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 15:1204 and R.S. 15:1207.