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

Performance Standard 7D: Mail, Telephone, and Visiting

5-ACI-7D-06 (Ref. 4-4492)

Written policy, procedure, and practice specify that inmates are permitted to send sealed letters to a specified class of persons and organizations, including but not limited to the following: courts; counsel; officials of the confining au- thority; state and local chief executive officers; administrators of grievance systems; and members of the paroling authority. Staff, in the presence of the inmate, may be allowed to inspect outgoing privileged mail for contraband before it is sealed. Mail to inmates from this specified class of persons and organizations may be opened only to inspect for contraband and only in the presence of the inmate, unless waived in writing, or in circumstances, which may indicate contamination. Comment : Suspicious mail may include packages and letters unusual in appear- ance, or which appear different from mail normally received or sent by the individ- ual; packages and letters of a size or shape not customarily received or sent by the individual; packages and letters with a city and/or state postmark that is different from the return address; or packages and letters leaking, stained, or emitting a strange or unusual odor, or which have a powdery residue.

Protocols : Written policy and procedure.

Process Indicators : Observation. Inmate handbook. Staff and inmate interviews. Mail records and logs.

Written policy, procedure, and practice provide for the inspection of inmate letters and packages to intercept cash, checks, and money orders.

5-ACI-7D-07 (Ref. 4-4493)

Comment : Cash, checks, and money orders should be removed from incoming mail and credited to the inmate’s account. They should also be removed from out- going mail and disposed of appropriately. Any interception should be documented, with receipts given to both the sender and the addressee.

Protocols : Written policy and procedure.

Process Indicators : Forms. Mail logs and records. Documentation of interception. Documentation of receipts to sender and the addressee.

5-ACI-7D-08 (Ref. 4-4494)

Written policy and procedure govern inspection for and disposition of contra- band.

Comment : The policies and procedures should specify what should be done with contraband, under what conditions receipts should be given the sender and ad- dressee, how seizures can be challenged, and when matters should be referred for prosecution.

Protocols : Written policy and procedure. Format for contraband records.

Process Indicators : Contraband records. Mail logs and records.

Adult Correctional Institutions, Fifth Edition 235

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker