subchapter 12b – prisons: public communications

section .0100 – inmate use of mail

14B NCAC 12B .0101       GENERAL

(a)  Inmates may write to anyone, but an individual inmate's privileges to write to a particular person or persons may be withdrawn by the superintendent/warden of the correctional facility to which the inmate is assigned, upon request of the recipient, or if the recipient is a minor, at the request of his or her parents or legal guardian. Writing privileges also may be terminated for any of the reasons stated in Rule .0307(e) of this Section. The reason for withdrawal must be stated in a written notice to the inmate that should refer specifically to the letters previously returned.

(b)  It is the purpose of the mail policy to protect citizens in the community from offensive or threatening letters and prevent criminal activities and escape plots from developing through correspondence. To accomplish this, it is the responsibility of each facility mail room to stamp the outside of each piece of outgoing inmate mail (including packages) with the name of the correctional facility, (ex., Mailed from Columbus Correctional Center). The stamp should be affixed to the front of the envelope above the address and between the return address and the postage stamp. This is not required at community residential facilities, i.e., Wilmington Residential Facility for Women.

(c)  The superintendent/warden will be responsible for developing and implementing facility mail procedures consistent with this policy. The facility procedures must be reviewed annually to assure compliance with current Division of Prisons policy.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 148-11;

Eff. November 1, 1991;

Transferred from 05 NCAC 02D .0306 Eff. June 1, 2013;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 9, 2018.