Source: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=137-48&full=true
Timestamp: 2019-07-23 01:27:46
Document Index: 91528901

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137', '§ 137']

Chapter 137-48 WAC:
WACs > Title 137 > Chapter 137-48
Chapter 137-48 WAC
Last Update: 1/25/18
137-48-010 Purpose.
137-48-020 Definitions.
137-48-030 Inspection of mail.
137-48-040 Restriction of incoming and/or outgoing mail.
137-48-050 Procedures for restrictions of incoming and/or outgoing mail.
137-48-060 Mail costs.
137-48-070 Mail records.
137-48-080 Telephone usage.
137-48-090 Implementation.
137-48-010
The purpose of these rules is to maintain the safety, security, and discipline of adult prison facilities operated under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections in accordance with Title 72 RCW et al., by establishing guidelines for the development of departmental and institution level policies and rules governing the receipt and sending of mail by inmates to prevent the transmission of illegal items or contraband into or out of an institution. These rules shall not apply to work release facilities under the jurisdiction of the department.
[WSR 05-13-004, § 137-48-010, filed 6/2/05, effective 7/2/05. WSR 91-23-103, § 137-48-010, filed 11/20/91, effective 1/1/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 72.08.380, 72.09.050 and 72.12.140. WSR 83-20-036 (Order 83-09), § 137-48-010, filed 9/27/83.]
137-48-020
137-48-030
Inspection of mail.
(1) All mail intended for or to be sent by an inmate, excluding legal mail discussed in subsection (3) of this section, may be inspected at any time by the staff designated by the superintendent or his/her designee(s). Mail may be disapproved for receipt or transmittal in accordance with WAC 137-48-040.
(3) Mail (incoming or outgoing) which is clearly identified on the outside of the envelope as legal mail, as defined in WAC 137-48-020, shall be inspected only in the presence of the inmate. Legal mail shall not be read but may be inspected in the presence of the inmate to verify legal mail status and that the mail is free of contraband.
[WSR 17-22-045, § 137-48-030, filed 10/25/17, effective 11/27/17. WSR 05-13-004, § 137-48-030, filed 6/2/05, effective 7/2/05. WSR 91-23-103, § 137-48-030, filed 11/20/91, effective 1/1/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 72.08.380, 72.09.050 and 72.12.140. WSR 83-20-036 (Order 83-09), § 137-48-030, filed 9/27/83.]
137-48-040
Restriction of incoming and/or outgoing mail.
(1) Incoming mail to inmates may be disapproved for receipt for any one of the following reasons:
(a) The mail threatens illegal activity, including but not limited to, threats of physical harm, blackmail or extortion.
(b) The mail threatens the safety and security of the institution, including but not limited to, mail concerning sending contraband escape plans, security devices, or mail that is in a code, a foreign language that cannot be interpreted, does not contain a return address, contains gang symbols, plans for activities in violation of institutional rules or contains information which, if communicated, would create a risk of violence and/or physical harm.
(c) The mail is susceptible to the introduction of contraband, including but not limited to, altered publications, mail with unknown substances on or in it, mail purported to be legal mail that is general correspondence, cash or checks, postage stamps, stickers, photos wherein the nonphoto side is or can be separated, publications not mailed directly from vendor, items not ordered and approved through institution channels, greeting cards that are padded, laminated/layered or musical.
(d) Any mail or publication that is deemed to be a threat to legitimate penological objectives, including but not limited to, sexually explicit materials.
(e) The mail contains inmate to inmate correspondence that has not been approved by the superintendent in compliance with department policy.
(a) An inmate may receive one gift package not to exceed fifteen pounds in weight on a quarterly basis. Quarterly periods shall consist of December through February, March through May, June through August, and September through November. Rules governing the contents of quarterly packages shall be developed specifically by each institutional superintendent and approved by staff designated by the secretary. The superintendent may allow exceptions from the one gift package limitation and weight limitation provided that appropriate contraband controls are maintained.
(b) The contents of the quarterly package shall be restricted to those items that are otherwise not available to the inmate through the institutional store or other purchasing outlet provided by the institution. A replacement package may be sent during the same quarter for damaged packages that are returned to the sender by the inmate.
[WSR 05-13-004, § 137-48-040, filed 6/2/05, effective 7/2/05. WSR 91-23-103, § 137-48-040, filed 11/20/91, effective 1/1/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 72.01.090. WSR 86-21-058 (Order 86-06), § 137-48-040, filed 10/14/86. Statutory Authority: RCW 72.08.380, 72.09.050 and 72.12.140. WSR 83-20-036 (Order 83-09), § 137-48-040, filed 9/27/83. Formerly WAC 275-96-021 and 275-96-022.]
137-48-050
Procedures for restrictions of incoming and/or outgoing mail.
(1) If an inmate's incoming or outgoing mail is restricted, written notification will be provided to the inmate by the mailroom staff. This notification shall be provided to the inmate and the sender of the specific publication, letter, or package which has been restricted and the reason for this action. The notice shall contain notification to the inmate that the restriction becomes final within ten days of the initial notice. The superintendent or his/her designee shall review the restriction within the ten-day period of time and shall either uphold the restriction, or allow for the delivery of the mail.
(2) The inmate and sender shall be advised in writing of his/her right to seek review of the decision to restrict his/her mail. The review shall be sought by writing directly to the superintendent/designee within ten calendar days of the initial restriction decision.
(3) Upon receipt of an inmate's and/or sender's appeal, the superintendent or his/her designee shall affirm or reverse the action taken at the institution and shall send a notice of the decision in writing within ten working days from the receipt of the inmate's or sender's written request.
(7) When a decision is rendered regarding a particular issue of a publication, that decision shall be binding for all prison facilities. A statewide notification shall be promptly issued from the final reviewer when the decision is rendered.
(8) If a package contains contraband and is subject to criminal prosecution, the entire package will be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Items of contraband not subject to criminal prosecution will be disposed of in accordance with procedures set forth in departmental and facility regulations as authorized by chapter 137-36 WAC.
[WSR 05-13-004, § 137-48-050, filed 6/2/05, effective 7/2/05. WSR 91-23-103, § 137-48-050, filed 11/20/91, effective 1/1/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 72.08.380, 72.09.050 and 72.12.140. WSR 83-20-036 (Order 83-09), § 137-48-050, filed 9/27/83. Formerly WAC 275-96-070.]
137-48-060
137-48-070
Mail records.
The institution superintendent or his/her designee(s) shall be responsible for the maintenance of a continuous record showing the source and destination of legal mail, packages and items of monetary value mailed by or mailed to an inmate. The secretary shall establish procedures for each institution governing the written mail record.
[WSR 91-23-103, § 137-48-070, filed 11/20/91, effective 1/1/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 72.08.380, 72.09.050 and 72.12.140. WSR 83-20-036 (Order 83-09), § 137-48-070, filed 9/27/83.]
137-48-080
(1) Telephone facilities shall be provided in appropriate numbers and locations to permit reasonable and equitable access to all inmates, except inmates of the reception center and those inmates in disciplinary segregation.
(3) The superintendent shall promulgate written regulations outlining the hours of telephone availability, maximum length of calls (not less than five minutes), limitations on telephone use, and provisions for monitoring, recording, and operator-announced calls as provided for in RCW 9.73.095.
[WSR 05-13-004, § 137-48-080, filed 6/2/05, effective 7/2/05. WSR 91-23-103, § 137-48-080, filed 11/20/91, effective 1/1/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 72.08.380, 72.09.050 and 72.12.140. WSR 83-20-036 (Order 83-09), § 137-48-080, filed 9/27/83. Formerly WAC 275-96-065.]
137-48-090
The secretary may adopt rules and regulations implementing this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 72.08.380, 72.09.050 and 72.12.140. WSR 83-20-036 (Order 83-09), § 137-48-090, filed 9/27/83.]