A prison advocacy group is suing Jefferson County officials over claims the jail is censoring books and magazines sent to inmates in violation of the organization’s free speech and due process rights.
The filed the federal lawsuit Thursday in the District of Colorado, alleging dozens of books, magazines, brochures and letters the group tried to send to inmates were rejected under the .
The lawsuit names the Board of County Commissioners, , Detention Division Chief Gary Gittins and 10 unnamed jail staff.
Rejected mail included the group’s magazines, and Criminal Legal News, along with guides for enrolling in higher education and staying healthy and safe while incarcerated, according to the lawsuit.
Jefferson County did not tell the group why the materials were rejected or give officials a chance to appeal the decision before sending the books and magazines back.
None of the group’s content violates the jail’s mail policy and there is no other legitimate reason for the censorship, attorneys for the group wrote.
Human Rights Defense Center officials are seeking an unspecified amount of money for damages. The declined to comment on the lawsuit.
