Arkansas inmates will no longer receive books, newspapers or magazines directly under a new policy approved by the Board of Corrections Friday.
The Arkansas Board of Corrections approved the change, which a Department of Corrections spokesperson said takes effect on Feb. 1. Prison officials said the restriction was needed in order to tamp down on contraband being smuggled into prisons.
Critics say such restrictions, however, severely limit access for people in prison to reading materials since the offerings in prison libraries and on prison-issued tablets can be limited or outdated…