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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 26, 1998
CONTACT: Perrin Damon (503)945-0925
New Prison Rules Target Sexually Explicit Materials
The Oregon Department of Corrections has crafted changes to its administrative rules governing the sending, receipt and processing of inmate mail in state prisons. The rule amendments expand and clarify prohibitions on several important types of incoming and outgoing mail. The changes affect sexually explicit materials, business transactions and mail that is unwanted by its recipients. The amended rules become effective December 1, 1998.
Sexually Explicit Material
The amended rules give administrators of Oregon´s 13 prisons greater control over sexually explicit materials that inmates are allowed to receive and possess. Department officials expect the new rules to decrease commerce among inmates of grossly offensive sexually explicit materials and make the prisons more conducive to the rehabilitation of sex offenders.
Under the new rules, inmates are prohibited from receiving or possessing publications, personal photographs or other material which depicts actual or simulated sexual acts, behaviors, and/or excretory functions. The prior rule´s prohibitions of bestiality, sexual violence, sexual acts involving children, and certain types of nudity remain in the new rule.
Importantly, the Department of Corrections is molding the state´s prisons into productive habitats with values that mirror the outside world. "This material is not appropriate in a correctional setting," said Assistant Director Nick Armenakis. "These changes will create a healthier atmosphere for inmates to pursue programmatic and rehabilitation goals."
"It is well established in corrections that sexually explicit material causes operational concerns," added Assistant Director Frank Thompson. "Correctional authorities and mental health experts agree that sexually explicit material creates demand for sexual favors and sexual gratification as well as the opportunity for arguments over possession rights of such materials."
The public and inmates had the opportunity to comment on the rule changes and some of their suggestions were incorporated.
Inmates were advised of the impending changes in prison newsletters and other official communications. The December 1 effective date for the rule was selected to give inmates time to cancel subscriptions to publications that may not comply with the new rules. Additionally, inmates have been given a grace period to seek review of sexually explicit material that may already be in their possession in order to determine if the material complies with the new rules. If not approved, the materials must be destroyed or sent out of the institutions at inmate expense.
Unwanted Mail
In addition to expanding and clarifying the department´s prohibition against the sending and receipt of sexually explicit materials by inmates, the amended rules will prohibit inmates from sending correspondence or other mail to persons who do not want to receive it. Under the new rules, the department will restrict inmates from sending unwanted mail to a particular person or address upon request from the person or addressee. People who wish to stop receiving inmate mail should contact the prison where the inmate is incarcerated for guidelines on restricting mail.
This restriction closely parallels an existing department policy that enables citizens to block unwanted collect phone calls from inmates.
Business Transactions
The amended rules will also prohibit inmates from conducting business transactions through the mail without the prior approval of the prison superintendents or their designee(s).
"These changes and additions to the rule have been greatly anticipated by the department," said Corrections Director Dave Cook. "Our job is to maintain security, good order and discipline in our facilities. We have a responsibility to stop criminal activity that originates in and from prisons. We need to protect citizens from unwanted contact with inmates.
"The new rules will accomplish all of the above."
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