Section 525.210  General Guidelines

a)         Each facility shall use the Statewide Publication Determination List and not maintain an individual list of publications.

b)         Individuals in custody shall be informed of the procedures governing publications during orientation and this Subpart shall be available to individuals in custody. 

c)         Publications received for individuals in custody shall only enter facilities through the mailroom.  This shall not prohibit publications already included in the personal property of an individual in custody from entering through transfers between Department facilities.  This does not include publications received for programs under the Office of Adult Education and Vocational Services, other approved programs, the facility library, and religious programs.

d)         Each individual in custody may receive, subscribe to, solicit free copies of, or buy copies of publications for delivery to the facility from a publisher in accordance with this Subpart. 

e)         Used publications, including publications that have sustained normal wear and tear, shall be permitted provided that they are free of contraband and do not violate the standards set forth in Section 525.220.  Used publications shall be inspected for contraband prior to issuance to the individual in custody. 

f)         All publications shall be delivered promptly after necessary inspection for contraband.  If it appears to violate the standards set forth in Section 525.220, the publication shall first be referred to the Facility Publication Review Officer for review and determination.

g)         Publications determined to be unacceptable shall be disposed of as contraband in accordance with 20 Ill. Adm. Code 501:  Subpart C.

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 1047, effective January 9, 2026)