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Senator Dan Stec from Queensbury introduced a bill on Wednesday (September 3) aimed at reducing drug smuggling in prisons by mandating electronic mail for legal correspondence. The legislation, known as Senate Bill S.8492, requires all legal mail to be sent electronically to inmates, addressing a loophole that allows synthetic drugs to enter prisons through mail falsely labeled as being from law firms.
The bill proposes that law firms register with New York state and send mail electronically, which inmates can access via provided tablet computers. Stec emphasized that while attorney-client privilege is important, it should not be exploited for illegal activities. He stated, "No one has the right to abuse it in order to smuggle drugs and deadly chemicals" according to My Champlain Valley.
The bill allows exceptions for situations where digital transmission is impractical. Stec has been vocal about improving prison security, previously proposing mandatory body scanners. A federal bill with a similar aim, providing electronic copies of mail to inmates while delaying physical copies for thorough scanning, has also been introduced.
The new legislation is expected to make a significant impact on prison safety by closing the loophole used for drug smuggling. However, it also acknowledges the need for secure and practical communication between inmates and their legal representatives.