The COVID-19 pandemic has made communications between federal inmates and their attorneys extremely difficult. Visits have been banned since March, it takes weeks to receive mail and up to a month to set up an unmonitored phone call. The only viable means of communication is email.  

However, the Bureau of Prisons requires inmates to waive confidentiality and attorney-client privilege to send or receive emails. Federal prosecutors have used inmate’s emails against them in court. This means that lawyers cannot discuss key aspects of their clients’ cases over email, undermining the effectiveness of their representation.  

Pending legislation, part of the latest COVID-19 relief package, would end this policy and require warrants to access inmate emails.  

Read the LA Times op-ed here.  

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