May 7, 2025
MIAMI— Florida Justice Institute, together with other civil rights groups, have objected for a second time to a proposed legal mail rule by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) that would make it more difficult for attorneys to communicate with incarcerated people. This is the second time that a version of this rule has been proposed: In 2023, the FDOC proposed it, FJI and others objected, and the FDOC withdrew the rule. They have not proposed it again, with minimal changes. The proposed rule would impose extra burdens on lawyers, requiring them to visit a website and obtain a special code for every piece of legal mail. It also restricts what can be sent through legal mail and would authorize prison staff to review the content of confidential mail to determine whether it complies with the rule. This rule is unnecessary and would restrict the constitutional rights of nonprofit organizations who inform incarcerated people about their legal rights.