Dallas County settles PLN censorship lawsuit - Dallas News 2007

PRISON MAGAZINE SETTLEMENT OK'D

Dallas County commissioners approved a legal settlement Tuesday over the distribution of a magazine in the jails.

Prison Legal News, a prisoner-rights magazine, filed a federal lawsuit against the county this year over a policy banning newspapers and magazines inside the jails.

The Washington-based nonprofit publisher argued that the policy, enacted in March 2006, violated its constitutional rights. The policy was issued to eliminate clutter, but the publisher said inmates have a right to receive its 48-page legal information magazine.

Under the terms of the settlement, Dallas County agrees to allow inmates to receive the magazine. But the county can withhold delivery if the magazine contains prohibited content, as long as the publisher receives a written explanation.

Also, the county agreed to pay the publisher $9,000 for attorneys' fees and other costs, according to the settlement.

Kevin Krause