(When the ACLU interviewed inmates on March 14th, they handed out legal mail, stamped, envelopes addressed back to ACLU attorneys. It is long-standing policy, made with the DOC Director, that these envelopes are indeed LEGAL MAIL.)
On April 3d, inmate Sonia Rodriguez mailed out correspondence to the ACLU using the envelope provided for this purpose. The next day an officer woke her up at 6:14 am and handed her back the legal mail. Sonia asked that officer to call a supervisor, and that person was Lt. ADAMU, and he said, “Tell inmate to get with her COIII to get her legal mail envelope mailed.” On her way to the yard office to seek out another supervisor, she ran into Sgt. MCMILLAN. Sonia explained again what occurred and MCMILLAN said, “Did you give back to the officer what you were supposed to sign?” Sonia replied, “Why is my legal mail not being mailed out?” MCMILLAN said, “Complex Mail and Property told me to give it back to you and there was a paper for you to sign.” Sonia said, “Why do you want me to sign the same form I signed yesterday?”
Sonia and McMillan both walked to Mail/Property to see Cpl. WILLIAMS. After McMillan spoke with Williams, he told Sonia “This ACLU envelope and contents are not legal mail.” Later Williams said she’d call Complex mail. Williams came back and said, “This ACLU envelope is not good because it doesn’t have the DOC stamp on it.” Sonia told Williams that these envelopes are prepaid by the ACLU and approved by the Director. Williams again consulted with Complex and told Sonia, “Complex will take it this one time.”
Sonia was so upset, she made out a grievance form and took it to COIV COLBURN. Colburn told her, “You are not allowed to send prepaid envelopes unless it’s prepaid from the DOC.” Sonia asked him, “So you’re saying when the ACLU sends me legal mail that your staff is supposed to take out the prepaid reply envelope???” Whereupon Colburn said, “I need to look into this and speak to the DW.” BUSTED!