Perf-Based Stds, Juvenile Correctional Facilities, 5th Ed_DEC 2024

Part 3: Justice and Order

Uncensored Mail 5-JCF-3A-09 (Ref 4-JCF-3A-09)

Juveniles are provided the right to communicate or correspond with persons or organizations subject only to the limitations necessary to maintain facili ty order and security Juveniles’ mail, both incoming and outgoing, may be opened and inspected for contraband When based on legitimate facility in terests of order and security, mail may be read, censored, or rejected The juvenile is notified when incoming or outgoing letters are withheld in part or in full Comment : Access to the public is an integral part of rehabilitation. Juveniles should be permitted to communicate with their families and friends, as well as with public officials, the courts, and their attorneys. Juveniles should be permitted correspon dence if it poses no threat to the safety and security of the facility, public officials, or the general public and is not being used in the furtherance of illegal activities. Case law has defined legal limits. When mail is censored or rejected, the juvenile or author should be notified of the reasons for the action and provided with an op portunity to appeal that decision. Protocols : Written policy and procedure; juvenile handbook; rules; format for no tification. There is a provision for the forwarding of first-class letters and packages after transfer or release Comment : All first-class letters and packages should be forwarded to juveniles who are transferred to other facilities or released, provided a forwarding address is available. If a forwarding address is not available, first-class letters and packages should be returned to the sender. Post office regulations regarding mail forwarding should be made available to juveniles. Protocols : Written policy and procedure; copy of post office regulations regarding mail forwarding. Process Indicators : Documentation of forwarding; copies of forwarding-address forms used. Process Indicators : Copies of mail logs; interviews; documentation of notification.

Forwarding Mail 5-JCF-3A-10 (Ref 4-JCF-3A-10)

32 Juvenile Correctional Facilities, Fifth Edition