Perf-Based Stds, Adult Corr. Inst. 5th ed March 2020

Performance Standard 7D: Mail, Telephone, and Visiting

7D. - PERFORMANCE STANDARD: MAIL, TELEPHONE AND VISITING The maintenance of family and community ties through the provi- sion of comprehensive mail, telephone and visiting services is criti- cal to stable institutional adjustment and improves opportunities for successful reintegration. Mail

Inmate Correspondence

5-ACI-7D-01 (Ref. 4-4487)

Written policy and procedure govern inmate correspondence.

Comment : All regulations concerning inmate correspondence should be specified in writing and made available to staff members, inmates, and their correspondents.

Protocols : Written policy and procedure.

Process Indicators : Documentation of notification of correspondents. Inmate hand- book.

5-ACI-7D-02 (Ref. 4-4488)

When the inmate bears the mailing cost, there is no limit on the volume of letters the inmate can send or receive or on the length, language, content, or source of mail or publications except when there is reasonable belief that lim- itation is necessary to protect public safety or institutional order and security. Comment : The number of approved correspondents for an inmate should be unlim- ited, and there should be no limit on the number of letters an inmate may send or receive from approved correspondents. Limits may be placed on the use of mail for the conduct of an inmate business.

Protocols : Written policy and procedure.

Process Indicators : Observation. Interviews. Documentation of mail sent and re- ceived.

5-ACI-7D-03 (Ref. 4-4489)

Written policy, procedure, and practice provide that indigent inmates, as de- fined in policy, receive a specified postage allowance to maintain community ties.

Comment : An inmate without financial resources should be provided the means to send a reasonable number of letters per month. Community ties include family, personal friends, and so on, but not privileged communication to attorney, public officials, and courts.

Protocols : Written policy and procedure.

Process Indicators : Budget. Documentation of postage provided to indigent inmates.

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