Tennessee prohibits explicit publications

Tennessee Correction Commissioner Donal Campbell has ordered prisons to stop distribution of sexually explicit magazines, books and other publications.

The prisons will no longer allow inmates to subscribe or receive such publications and officers will begin confiscating those currently in

Campbell put the first order into effect in March that banned subscriptions. The commissioner is stepping up the campaign by collecting magazines that are now in cells.

Campbell based the decision on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2000 that upheld the Maricopa County, Ariz., Jail's policy to ban pornographic material.

"Excluding sexually explicit material at our facilities has been in consideration for a long time," said a corrections spokesman. "These materials present security issues and are detrimental to the operation of our facilities."

The spokesman said the Corrections Department would not be deterred by threats of a civil rights lawsuit.

"To suggest potential litigation as a reason not to improve security or the operation of our facilities is inconceivable," he said.

Prisoners are expected to file in state courts, contending the policy violates the Tennessee Constitution, which has some safeguards stronger than those in the U.S. Constitution.