Policy Text
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/01/ 29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Clara County Sheriff's
Office Library Services - 1 Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Custody Manual
Library Services
1007.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for provision of and access to legal and leisure
reading materials for incarcerated persons.
1007.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office to provide access to library services,
including legal research and reading materials for incarcerated persons.
1007.3 RESPONSIBILITIES
The Assistant Sheriff of Custody Operations or the authorized designee is responsible for the
administration of library services and to provide for library operations. The library services shall
include access via paper documents or through electronic media to legal reference materials,
current information on community services and resources, and religious, educational, and
recreational reading material (15 CCR §1064).
The Assistant Sheriff of Custody Operations or the authorized designee shall ensure that reading
materials are provided to the general housing units and that any member assigned to assist with
the delivery of library services has received the appropriate training in facility safety and security
practices.
1007.4 LIBRARY SERVICES FUNDING AND MAINTENANCE
The Office may enlist the assistance of the local public library systems and other community
organizations to maintain and update the library service resources. Donated books and materials
should be screened by the Assistant Sheriff of Custody Operations or the authorized designee for
permissible content and safety prior to being distributed to incarcerated persons.
The Office may reject readings and other library materials that may compromise the safety,
security, and orderly operation of the facilities (see the Mail Policy for examples of materials that
may be rejected).
Library services shall be operated within the physical, budgetary, and security limits of the existing
facilities.
Leisure reading materials may be available in other languages upon request and availability.
1007.5 ACCESS TO LIBRARY SERVICES
All incarcerated persons, regardless of their classification or housing status, shall be entitled to
access library services and materials. Access to library services may be delayed or restricted due
to facility lockdown or other emergencies . Policy
1007
Docusign Envelope ID: 63261B0B-3896-4DF0-B372-ACA82077590E
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Custody Manual
Library Services
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/01/2 9, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Clara County Sheriff's
Office Library Services - 2
1007.6 LEISURE LIBRARY MATERIALS
Incarcerated persons who destroy or misuse books and library materials will be subject to
disciplinary action consistent with the Disciplinary Policy.
1007.7 LEGAL MATERIALS
All incarcerated persons shall have reasonable access to the legal system, which may include
access to legal reference materials through the Office's contracted legal research provider. The
County's contracted legal research provider provides priority access to verified pro per individuals.
The Office's contracted legal research provider provides responsive legal research services to
incarcerated persons upon request by compiling current and relevant statutes, cases, forms, and
other content, as appropriate, for delivery to the requester. There is no cost to incarcerated persons
for this service.
Incarcerated persons desiring access to legal research services and legal publications shall submit
a completed Legal Research Request through their assigned facility designee. Upon receipt of
the Legal Research Request, the facility designee will log and process the request and provide it
to the Office's contracted legal research provider. The legal research provider will send the legal
materials to the designated facility to be distributed to the requestor.
This legal material is confidential and privileged and shall be handled with the same care and
discretion as legal mail (See Mail Policy). Pro per Incarcerated persons will not be limited in the
number of legal research service requests they may submit related to a pending case. Reasonable
limits on the number of requests made by incarcerated persons who are not representing
themselves or have legal counsel may be imposed only after consultation with the legal service
provider and County Counsel.
Records of access to legal materials should be documented and maintained in the Administration
Folders in accordance with established records retention schedules.
Pro per incarcerated persons may keep a limited amount of supplies for their case in their cells or
living area (e.g., paper, letters, reference materials), provided they do not create a fire hazard or
other safety or security concern (See Access to Courts and Counsel Policy).
1007.8 POLICY REVIEW
This policy shall be reviewed at least once every two years.
1007.9 POLICY TRACKING
Date of Origin 01/25/2024
Review Date 01/29/2027
Revision Date
Date Approved 01/29/2025
Effective Date 01/29/2025
Supersedes