OAR 291-131-0035
Prohibited Mail


The following materials constitute prohibited mail that shall be confiscated or returned to the sender:

(1)

Sexually Explicit Material:

(a)

Sexually explicit material that by its nature or content poses a threat or is detrimental to the security, good order or discipline of the facility, inmate rehabilitation, or facilitates criminal activity including but not limited to the following:

(A)

Individual photographs in which the subject is nude or exposes male or female genitalia, the pubic area, anus, or female areola.

(B)

Freestanding nude or partially nude images that include clippings from newspapers and magazines, photocopies, electronic images, printed web pages, drawings, photographs, and other media. Such images, whether human or anime (cartoon), may not include nude subjects, or depict or display male or female genitalia, the pubic area, anus, or female areola.

(C)

Sexual Acts or Behaviors:
(i)
Portrayal of actual or simulated sexual acts or behaviors between human beings including, but not limited to, intercourse, sodomy, fellatio, cunnilingus, or masturbation.
(ii)
Portrayal of actual or simulated penetration of the vagina or anus, or contact between the mouth and the breast, genitals, or anus.
(iii)
Portrayal of actual or simulated stimulation of the breast, genitals, or anus.
(iv)
Portrayal of actual or simulated acts or threatened acts of force or violence in a sexual context, including but not limited to forcible intercourse (rape) or acts of sadomasochism emphasizing the infliction of pain.
(v)
Portrayal of actual or simulated sexual acts or behaviors in which one of the participants is a minor, or appears to be under the age of 18.
(vi)
Beastiality: Portrayal of actual or simulated sexual acts or behaviors between a human being and an animal.

(D)

Excretory Functions: Portrayal of actual or simulated human excretory functions including, but not limited to urination, defecation, or ejaculation.

(b)

No distinction shall be made between depictions of heterosexual and homosexual activity in applying these standards.

(c)

Sexually explicit material does not include material of a news or information type, for example, publications covering the activities of gay rights or gay religious groups.

(d)

Literary publications shall not be excluded solely because of homosexual themes or references, except for violations of these rules.

(e)

Sexually explicit material may be admitted if it has scholarly value, or general social or literary value.

(2)

Material That Threatens or is Detrimental to the Security, Safety, Health, Good Order or Discipline of the Facility, Inmate Rehabilitation, or Facilitates Criminal Activity: Material that by its nature or content poses a threat or is detrimental to the security, safety, health, good order or discipline of the facility, inmate rehabilitation, or facilitates criminal activity, including but not limited to, material that meets one or more of the following criteria:

(a)

It incites, advocates, aids, or abets criminal activity such as illegal drug use, or instructs in the manufacture, use, or conversion of weapons.

(b)

It incites, advocates, aids, or abets escape, such as picking locks or digging tunnels.

(c)

It consists of threats of physical harm to any person or threats of criminal activity.

(d)

It contains or concerns sending contraband within, into, or out of the facility.

(e)

It concerns plans for activities in violation of other Department of Corrections administrative directives.

(f)

It contains code that directly threatens or is detrimental to the security, safety, health, good order, or discipline of the facility, inmate rehabilitation, or facilitates criminal activity.

(g)

It contains information which, if communicated, would create a clear and present danger of violence and physical harm to a human being.

(h)

It contains contraband material.

(i)

It contains STG-related paraphernalia.

(j)

It contains inflammatory material.

(k)

It contains detailed maps of areas within 50 miles of correctional facilities or work stations.

(3)

Credit or Deferred Billing Transactions: Mail involving credit or deferred billing (e.g., “bill me later” or “payment after delivery”) transactions for the purchase of or subscription to publications (e.g., books, newspapers, magazines) or other items or merchandise is prohibited. Mail prohibited under this subsection includes:

(a)

Outgoing inmate requests or purported agreements to enter into a credit or deferred billing transaction.

(b)

Incoming publications or other items or merchandise, including promotional (e.g., free gift or premium) items given in exchange for purchase or subscription, received in a Department of Corrections facility that are accompanied by a billing or other statement requiring payment upon delivery or at a later date.

(4)

Unauthorized Business Transactions: Mail involving a business transaction not previously approved by the functional unit manager or designee.

(5)

Items Prohibited From Receipt by Mail:

(a)

Any item or material that an inmate shall not possess within the Department of Corrections facility to which the inmate is assigned.

(b)

Material that an inmate shall not possess within the facility or that meets one of the following criteria:

(A)

Weapons or explosives;

(B)

Narcotics or narcotics paraphernalia;

(C)

Intoxicants or medications;

(D)

Escape devices;

(E)

Money, negotiable instruments, deposit and withdrawal slips, un-cancelled stamps, and stamp collections;

(F)

Any item larger than 18“ x 18” except subscription newspapers;

(G)

Any electronic items, including batteries;

(H)

Any substance that is unauthorized, including lipstick, crayon, water colors, paint, correction fluid, wax, glitter, foam etc.; or

(I)

Polaroid type photographs with a chemical substance on the back of the photograph.

(6)

Mail Subject to Outgoing Mail Restriction: Outgoing mail to a person or address to which the inmate has been ordered by the functional unit manager or designee not to send mail.

(7)

Any other material that the department deems to pose a threat or to be detrimental to legitimate penological objectives.
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 291-131-0035’s source at or​.us