Prison magazine files suit against sheriff

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A monthly magazine that advocates for inmate rights has filed a lawsuit accusing the Tulare County sheriff of violating the free speech rights of inmates by not delivering its publication.

The Fresno Bee reports that Prison Legal News recently filed a lawsuit Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Fresno, claiming 336 issues of the journal were not delivered and were returned to the sender with no explanation.

According to the lawsuit, the jail won’t deliver the magazine because it uses staples to hold pages together, but a Christian magazine with similar staples is delivered.

A jail commander says staples are not allowed in county jails without exceptions as staples contain metal and can be used to start a fire.