31-231. Unauthorized communication with prisoner; classification; definition
177 words·~1 min read·
/az/title-31/31-231A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
A. A person who is not authorized by law and who without legal or official permission communicates with a prisoner who is within the custody and control of the department is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.
B. For the purposes of this section, all prisoners who are detained within a correctional facility or who are supervised in any program outside of a correctional facility are within the custody and control of the department. This section does not apply to prisoners who are on parole, community supervision, work release or home arrest or who are under any other conditional release that does not involve direct and continuous supervision by the department.
C. For the purposes of this section, "communication" means:
1. Any verbal or nonverbal communication that poses a direct threat to the safe and secure operation of the department's institutions, programs or inmate labor work crews.
2. Any written communication that includes taking any unauthorized letter, writing, literature or reading material to or from a prisoner who is within the custody and control of the department.