Code of Massachusetts Regulations
103 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Title 103 CMR 478.00 - Library Services
Section 478.10 - Legal Services
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) General. The constitutional right of access to the courts requires that, when requested, inmates receive assistance in preparing and filing legal papers. This assistance may include access to law library facilities, instruction in the use of legal materials and reference assistance. However, such assistance shall not include legal advice or direction of legal research on the part of library personnel.
(2) Law Collection. Every Inmate shall have access to legal materials. As suggested by federal and state court rulings and national standards, legal materials should include at a minimum: state and federal constitutions, state statutes, state decisions, procedural rules and decisions and related commentaries, federal case law, court rules, practice treatises, citators, and legal periodicals.
(3) Access. Library access shall be scheduled and coordinated by the Librarian and shall be provided to all inmates within the institution. The law collection may be made available to inmates online. An inmate of any state correctional institution without an adequate law collection may request transportation to an institution with a law collection for the purpose of conducting legal research. This request shall be made in writing to the Superintendent or a designee. The Superintendent may provide access to legal assistance in lieu of the law collection as deemed appropriate.
(4) Photocopies.
(5) Supplies.