DES MOINES, Iowa—The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled against a class of 12 inmates that challenged a 2018 law banning public funds for the purchase of pornography for individuals incarcerated in the state’s prison system, a local news outlet reports.
Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the 7-0 ruling on Friday.
Bird, a staunch critic of pornography in general, called the prisoners' argument that they have a constitutional right to access porn in prison incorrect.
"Pornography doesn’t belong in prison, and certainly not on the Iowa taxpayers’ dime,” Bird said in a press release. “If pornography is considered contraband for our troops during boot camp it absolutely should not be provided at the taxpayers’ expense to those who are in prison."
Bird added, "That’s just common sense, and I’m grateful for the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision affirming that."
The state's high court justified its ruling by indicating that prison officials have the right to protect prison staff and inmates from the potential sexual harassment and violence related to unlawful porn contraband trading.
