The following are the minimum requirements applicable to inmate mail privileges. Inmates shall be permitted to send and receive mail consistent with the following:

1. (1) Incoming and outgoing mail may be examined for contraband.
2. (2) Incoming and outgoing mail to and from public officials, courts and attorneys will not be opened for purposes of examining for contraband unless the interested inmate is present.
3. (3) Incoming and outgoing mail to a person or entity may be read by the prison warden if reasonable grounds exist to believe that receipt of the mail is likely to jeopardize prison security or public safety and welfare, or both.
4. (4) The sending and receipt of mail shall be restricted or prohibited for valid penological reasons such as introduction of contraband, threats to security or the public, or when requested by intended recipients.

Authority

The provisions of this § 95.234 amended under section 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 186); and section 3(3) and (4) of the act of December 27, 1965 (P. L. 1237, No. 502) (61 P. S. § 460.3(3) and (4)).

Source

The provisions of this § 95.234 readopted May 18, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 1619; amended February 18, 2000, effective February 19, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 866. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (203088) and (261613).

Notes of Decisions

Inmate-to-Inmate Correspondence

Inmate-to-inmate correspondence may be restricted provided the restriction is reasonably related to valid correction goals and inmate’s complaint was dismissed since he failed to allege that he was authorized to correspond with another inmate. Williams v. Frame, 821 F.Supp. 1093 (1993).