JONESBORO, Ga. — Several metro-area jails have implemented a new rule banning inmates from receiving and, in some cases, sending letters.
Law enforcement said it's an efficient way to cut down on contraband entering their facilities, but civil libertarians believe it's unconstitutional.
Clayton County Sheriff Kem Kimbrough started banning letters in and out of the Clayton County Jail on Tuesday. Only legal correspondence is protected and allowed in letter form. Inmates are able to send and receive an unlimited amount of postcards, a spokeswoman said.
Kimbrough told Channel 2 Action News reporter Tony Thomas it's a good idea.
"A razor blade fits very easily inside a piece of rolled up paper," Kimbrough said. "It's going to be really, really difficult to manipulate a postcard to hide contraband inside it."
The Sheriff said the cost savings from less hours processing the mail helps, too.
The rules are strict at the Clayton County Jail in Jonesboro. Only white postcards are allowed. They must be metered, not stamped, and can only be written on with blue or black ink.
Clayton County isn't alone in the policy. Thomas checked with 14 other metro counties and three --- Gwinnett, Barrow and Fayette --- have also banned letters. Another--- DeKalb County --- is considering it.
DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown told Thomas he's seriously looking into the idea. Brown said it's about safety.
Critics said the policy is going too far.
"Administrative convenience is not a reason for prohibiting or restricting constitutional rights," Debbie Seagraves, the executive director of the Georgia American Civil Liberties Union Chapter said. "It's too early in the process to say lawsuits are coming. "
ACLU chapters in other states have threatened lawsuits.
"No one is trying to inconvenience inmates and their families, but we are trying to run a safer and more secure facility," Kimbrough said.
WSBTV
