DOC 379.03(23)(23) “Secretary” means the secretary of the department of corrections or that person’s designee.

DOC 379.03(24)(24) “Special events” means activities beyond regularly scheduled program events, including but not limited to, sporting events, guest speakers, concerts or recognition events.

DOC 379.03(26)(26) “Superintendent” means the superintendent of a type 1 secured correctional facility or that person’s designee.

DOC 379.03(27)(27) “Type 1 secured correctional facility” has the meaning given in s. 938.02 (19), Stats.

DOC 379.03(28)(28) “Type 2 secured correctional facility” has the meaning given in s. 938.02 (20), Stats.

DOC 379.03(29)(29) “Youth” means a person or persons supervised by the department in an institution consistent with the requirements of law, regardless of age.

DOC 379.04(1)(1) Policy. Communication fosters reintegration into the community and the maintenance of family ties. A youth may communicate with government offices, courts, approved family members and other persons concerned with the youth’s welfare as approved by the superintendent and consistent with program needs and the need to protect the public.

DOC 379.04(2)(2) Correspondence list. There shall be an approved correspondence list for each youth. The list shall include the name, date of birth, address, and relationship to the youth for all approved correspondents.

DOC 379.04(2)(b)(b) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, only individuals on a youth’s approved list will be permitted to correspond with the youth. To the extent compatible with program goals and institution needs, a youth shall be permitted to correspond with close family members. If the superintendent grants prior approval, other relatives, friends, or interested persons may also correspond with the youth.

DOC 379.04(3)(a)(a) Mail addressed to youth shall be promptly delivered, except as provided in this section.

DOC 379.04(3)(b)(b) Incoming mail to a youth, except as provided in sub. (5), may be opened, read and inspected for contraband, if the youth consents in writing to receive mail through institution mail services. Contraband shall not be delivered and shall be returned to the sender, unless it is a violation of the laws of Wisconsin or the United States to possess the contraband, in which case, the contraband shall be disposed of as provided in s. DOC 376.17.

DOC 379.04(3)(c)(c) If a youth does not consent under par. (b), the institution shall return incoming mail addressed to the youth to the post office unopened and marked “refused.”

DOC 379.04(3)(d)(d) If a letter has no return address, it shall be opened, inspected and read to identify the sender and determine if the sender is on the approved correspondence list. If the sender cannot be identified, the mail will be disposed of consistent with institution procedures.

DOC 379.04(3)(e)(e) If incoming mail is not given to the youth, the mail and a written notice stating why the mail was not delivered shall be promptly sent by the superintendent to the sender. The mail and written notice will not be sent if the sender is a youth or an adult under the supervision of or in the custody of the department. The youth to whom the letter was sent shall be given a written notice within 3 working days that the mail was not delivered, the reason for non-delivery and the identity of the sender.

DOC 379.04(4)(a)(a) At least one letter per week may be sent at department expense. Additional mail may be sent at department expense as authorized by the superintendent. If a youth pays for the postage, additional letters may be sent by the youth.

DOC 379.04(4)(b)(b) Outgoing mail from a youth, except as provided in sub. (5), may be opened, read and inspected for contraband, if the youth consents in writing to send mail through institution mail services. The contraband shall be disposed of as provided in s. DOC 376.17.

DOC 379.04(4)(c)(c) If outgoing mail is not sent, the superintendent shall promptly send a notice to the youth stating why the letter was not sent. The letter will be disposed of consistent with institution procedures.

DOC 379.04(5)(5) Special correspondence. Staff may open and inspect, but not read mail received by youth from or sent by a youth to any of the persons listed below only in the presence of the youth. Staff shall inspect the document to determine if the mail contains contraband. Mail containing contraband shall be confiscated. This subsection applies to mail clearly identifiable as being from or to one or more of the following parties: