To: All San Quentin Staff and Inmates
RE: Obscene Material
This bulletin is submitted to clarify recent changes in the allowable
materials that can be received by inmates via the institutional mail system
These changes are based on the broadening of the definition of obscene
material RE (Mauro v. Arpaio 9th Cir. 1999). These changes noe exclude all
materials containing frontal nudity from entering the institution. This
restriction applies to, but is not limited to, materials such as magazines,
periodicals and photographs that contain frontal nudity. The only exemption
to these guidelines will be the Playboy Magazine.
After reviewing staffing levels and security issues, Internet mail will not
be allowed at San Quentin. To do so would jeopardize the safety and security
of the institution RE (Turner v. Safley [1987]).
The institutional mailroom have been applying these standards for
approximately sixty (60) days. Inmates who have received a CDC 1819 form
from the mailroom should complete this form in a timely manner and return
them to the mailroom for the disposition of the noted contraband.
The noted changes shall be incorporated into San Quentin's Institutional
Procedure 212, Mail Procedure, during its annual review.
J. S. Woodford
Warden
