17 reasons why NC prisoners are denied books

North Carolina's prison policy and procedure manual details 17 reasons why prisons deny publications to inmates.

Posted 3:11 p.m. Apr 3, 2014 — Updated 4:21 p.m. Apr 3, 2014

1) The commission of criminal activity and/or the violation of state or federal laws and/or the violation of Division of Prisons policy and/or inmate disciplinary policy and procedures.

2) The manufacture, simulation and/or concealment of weapons,ammunition, explosives, incendiaries, or escape devices and/or escape techniques.

3) The ingredients and/or manufacture of poisons, drugs, intoxicants, abrasives, corrosives or other toxic or illegal substances.

4) Violence, disorder, insurrection or terrorist/gang activities against individuals, groups, organizations, the government or any of its' institutions.

5) Instructions and/or information which contain technical specifications for or may be used to alter or defeat electronic, mechanical or other security devices, facility blueprints, procedures, diagrams and/or information concerning security techniques and training of personnel and/or canine units.

6) Instructions and/or information which may be used to alter or defeat institutional systems of communication.

7) Instructions and/or information relating to the ability or attempt to physically assault, disable, injure or kill a person.

8) Violence against any ethnic, racial or religious group or which reasonably appears likely to provoke or to precipitate a violent confrontation between the recipient or recipients or any other inmate in possession of same and a member or members of the target group.

9) Materials which are used or which reasonably appear likely to be used to intimidate or sexually harass facility staff or visitors.

10) Material which is written for or supports the activities of a validated Security Threat Group; or material which in any way supports, incites, promotes, encourages or advocates any type of gang activity by pictorials or writings or sign gang language or insignia. Sign gang language alone, in isolation of other material that supports, incites, promotes, encourages, or advocates any type of gang activity should no t be cause for rejection.

11) Sexually explicit material which by its nature or content poses a threat to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution, or facilitates criminal activity. Sexually explicit materials are defined as pictorial depictions of sex acts involving any person who is under age 18, (or, if the person's age is not stated in the text, who could reasonably be through the be under age 18). The term sex acts means actual or simulated sexual acts, including sexual intercourse, oral sex, or masturbation. In addition, pictorial materials which depict exposed, full frontal view of uncovered human genitalia, exposed genitalia from the rear or the female breast are specifically deemed to be a threat to institutional order, security and safety and a threat to inmate rehabilitation and are prohibited. This prohibition shall not apply to patently medical, artistic, anthropological or educational commercial publications including but not limited to National Geographic, works of art displayed in public galleries, i.e., Art News, anatomy texts or comparable materials.

12) Items or materials which can be used for the improper purpose of establishing personal information about a staff member, victim or any other citizen. This prohibition includes but is not limited to a drivers license, drivers license records check, property title or deed, tax listing information, social security card, birth certificate, passport, military discharge papers, personal financial documents such as credit cards, checkbooks or similar items. Items send to aid an inmate who is being prepared legitimate transition to the community are received and maintained for the inmate in a secure location until the inmate is released.

13) Hardbound publications (other than legal or religious publications) that are larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches or more than 2 inches thick are not allowed. However, large softbound publications (such as ESPN Magazine and The Sporting News) are allowed. Hardbound legal or religious publications larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches or more than 2 inches thick are allowed unless the facility head identifies a specific security threat or storage issue caused by the inmate's possession of the publication.

14) Hardbound publications (other than legal or religious publications) and all spiral-bound publications are not allowed if addressed to an inmate who is assigned to H-con, M-con, I-con or Disciplinary Segregation. However, inmates who are assigned to H-con, M-con, I-con, or Disciplinary Segregation may possess in their cells hardbound (but not spiral-bound) legal or religious publications (including legal or religious publications larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches or more than 2 inches thick) unless the facility head identifies a specific security threat or storage issue caused by the inmate's possession of the publication.

15) Publication is from a source that is not a legitimate marketer, and/or distributor of published material.

16) Publication is from a source that is in conflict with the custody level of the inmate to whom it is addressed.

17) Publication contains contraband, such as money, postal stamps or objects that may be utilized as weapons.

Source: N.C. prisons' policy and procedure manual

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