Prisoners: rights.

Existing law enumerates the civil rights that are retained by prisoners, including the right to correspond, confidentially, with any member of the State Bar or holder of public office, except that prison authorities are authorized to open and inspect incoming mail to search for contraband. Existing law also provides that prison authorities may exclude obscene publications or writings and open and inspect any and all packages received by an inmate. Existing law authorizes a court to issue a restraining order or protective order enjoining the restrained party from contacting the protected party, as specified. Under existing law, violation of the terms of a restraining order is punishable as a misdemeanor and subsequent violations are punishable as a misdemeanor or felony. This bill would authorize prison authorities to open and inspect outgoing mail for purposes of enforcing a restraining order or protective order against an inmate, but would prohibit prison authorities from opening or inspecting outgoing confidential correspondence between a prisoner and his or her attorney.