Arkansas inmates restricted from receiving physical books, other media directly

Summary

Arkansas inmates will no longer receive books, newspapers or magazines directly under a new policy approved by the Board of Corrections Friday. The Arkansas Board of Corrections approved the change, which a Department of Corrections spokesperson said takes effect on Feb. 1. Prison officials said the restriction was needed in order to tamp down on contraband being smuggled into prisons. Critics say such restrictions, however, severely limit access for people in prison to reading materials since the offerings in prison libraries and on prison-issued tablets can be limited or outdated. The board approved the policy with no audible dissent. Arkansas prisons already banned certain materials. Books with a map of the state or with the word “escape” in the title are prohibited, according to a Freedom of Information Act request the Arkansas Advocate filed earlier this year, and prison libraries are also prohibited from having physical magazines or newspapers. Donations of books by nonprofit groups or local libraries to prison libraries will still be allowed under the new policy, according to Department of Corrections spokesperson Rand Champion. The new policy only restricts how books are brought into the prisons, without banning physical media outright. BOC Chairman Benny Magness said the change was necessary to prevent drugs and other contraband from making its way into prisons during the meeting. “K2 is killing our inmates,” he said. Division of Correction Director Dexter Payne said 50,000 books were available via the tablets. Almost all people housed in ADC facilities have a tablet — only those in “punitive isolation” do not. Board member Lona McCastlain expressed concerns about continuing to ensure people in prison have access to the books they wish to read, saying it was important the board emphasized books would still be available. “They can’t be brought in by Joe Blow off the street. We can get them. As long as they’re available, they’re not banned,” she said. The Ame...