Tough New Prison Rules Mulled

The California Department of Corrections is considering new regulations that would allow only lawyers and certified private investigators to visit prison inmates. The proposed regulations would also limit what attorneys and inmates can discuss during visits and allow wardens to intervene if they suspect the lawyer is “fostering inmate misconduct.” Prisoner advocacy groups say the proposal jeopardizes their ability to work with inmates on their criminal cases and to monitor their treatment in prison. They say getting legal help is already difficult for inmates. Even if there are changes, no decision will be made until after tomorrow´s deadline to submit objections or other comments to the department.