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Wednesday, February 02, 2005
On this day:

9th Circ.: "Unconstitutional" for Prisons to Keep Bulk Mail from Prisoners



Huh? Where in the Constitution does it say THAT?

Reuters reports:

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling and rejected arguments that banning bulk mail makes it easier to run a prison and reduces the risk of fire.

"Publishers have a First Amendment right to communicate with prisoners by mail, and inmates have a First Amendment right to receive this mail," Arthur Alarcon wrote for the three-judge panel.

The "ban on non-subscription bulk mail and catalogs is not rationally related to a legitimate penological interest and is therefore unconstitutional," he added.