Sec. 6. (a) A confined person may acquire and possess printed matter on any subject, from any source. However, unless a confined person or the sender receives prior approval from the warden for the confined person to receive a book, magazine, newspaper, or other periodical from another source, a confined person may receive a book, magazine, newspaper, or other periodical only if it is mailed to the confined person directly from the publisher, the distributor, or an accredited postsecondary educational institution. The department may inspect all printed matter and exclude any material that is contraband or prohibited property. However, in the case of a confined adult, the department may not exclude printed matter on the grounds it is obscene or pornographic unless it is obscene under Indiana law. A periodical may be excluded only on an issue by issue basis. Printed matter obtained at cost to the confined person must be prepaid.

     (b) If the department withholds printed matter, it must promptly notify the confined person. The notice must be in writing and include the title of the matter, the date the matter was received at the facility or program, the name of the person who made the decision, whether the matter is objectionable in whole or in part, the reason for the decision, and the fact that the department’s action may be challenged through the grievance procedure.

As added by Acts 1979, P.L.120, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.156-1999, SEC.1; P.L.2-2007, SEC.152; P.L.67-2017, SEC.10.