JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the Berkeley County Jail’s book policy, because it wants inmates to have access to pornographic materials.
It started over a claim that the South Carolina jail was only offering the Bible for inmates to read. “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 J. Senn, attorney for Berkeley County Jail.
Inmates do have a limited reading list. They can’t read materials bound by staples, paper clips, or clasps of any kind.
“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,” said Senn.
The ACLU said that isn’t enough and they want pornographic books and magazines.
Jail officials say allowing that kind of reading 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. 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,” said Robin L. Jackson, attorney for Berkeley County Jail.
The ACLU also wants the jail to allow things like nude photos and photos of weapons, drugs and alcohol. A preliminary hearing will be held on June 14th.