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The U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons has revised the rule governing publications and other literature coming in to prisoners. The rule change came into effect January 16, 2003, "to strengthen security procedures designed to prevent introduction [of] contraband," into the prisons.
The new rule reads, in part:
" 28 CFR Sec. 540.71 Procedures...
(a)(1) At all Bureau institutions, an inmate may receive hardcover publications and newspaper only from the publisher, from a book club, or from a bookstore.
(2) At medium security, high security, and administrative institutions, an inmate may receive softcover publications (for example, paperback books, newspaper, clippings, magazines, and other similar items) only from the publisher, from a book club, or from a bookstore..."
The new restrictions do not extend to the prison camps, and while the unit manager is given limited discretion, the rule is being enforced to mean individuals may send only personal letters and non-Polaroid photos, and no newspaper clippings, flyers, church bulletins, magazine photos, etc. The latter may be sent as photocopies, and one prisoner reminds us about "writing on back of page so the xerox is part of the letter." Printed pages from the internet have also been received, in small lots.
We will now be sending the Nuclear Resister to federal prisoners in its own "publisher's" envelope, with no personal notes enclosed!
