BEREKELEY, SC (WCIV/CNN) - Attorneys for a South Carolina jail filed a motion of opposition after the American Civil Liberties Union brought a lawsuit against the jail's book policy.
It all started after someone claimed that the Berekeley County Jail in South Carolina was allowing inmates to read books other than the Bible.
"The press seems to be saying that the only thing allowed in the jail is a Christian Bible, and that is just not true. And, it has not been true." said Sandra Senn, Berekeley County Jail attorney. "We allow all religious texts regardless of the religion and have for years. And, there is plenty of reading materials in the jail such as novels, cross-word puzzles, pamphlets."
ACLU says that is not enough, they want pornographic books and magazines for inmates.
"If they don't like the wording in some of our policy, we'll be happy to try and create better wording for them. But, there are certain issues that we're just not going to be able to bend on," Senn said.
Officials say if that kind of reading material would create a hostile and chaotic environment.
"It's going to create all kinds of problems because you're going to have an issue with masturbation at that point," said Robin Jackson, Berekeley County Jail attorney. "And then you run the risk of not just sexual assault but, physical assault because men don't want to see other men doing those types of activities."
The ACLU also wanted the jail to allow things like nude photos and photos of weapons, drugs and alcohol. A preliminary hearing will be held June 14.
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=14752590
Bookmarks