In Re Van Geldern

On September 2, 1970, petitioners John van Geldern, Jay B. Jones and James D. Reed, prison inmates in the lawful custody of the Department of Corrections at Folsom Prison, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the California Supreme Court, prepared in propria persona on behalf of themselves “and a class too numerous to mention.” They challenge the application of prison regulations governing inmate purchase and receipt of books and periodicals. The Supreme Court issued an order to show cause, returnable before this court. Petitioner van Geldern has filed supplemental “briefs” and other documents since the Supreme Court issued its order, which, although constituting new matter, are related to the substance of the petition and will be considered by the court. Petitioners challenge regulations forbidding possession of hard-cover fiction, “educational” books, and a magazine entitled “Nudist Adventure.” Peti tioners also question certain procedural regulations requiring that books must be obtained from an approved vendor or from the prison canteen.

In 1968 the Legislature amended section 2600 of the Penal Code, which relates to the suspension of civil rights of…