Washington S. Ct. Rules on Prisoner Access...

Per the AP...The state Supreme Court says prisons can keep government records away from inmates if authorities believe the information might be a security risk.

In a 5-4 ruling, the court says a prison's ability to intercept inmate mail does not conflict with prisoners' rights to obtain government information under the Public Records Act.

Dissenting justices say prison contraband policies shouldn't keep public records from an inmate, since the Public Records Act is supposed to trump other conflicting laws.

Thursday's case could have implications for a separate high-profile lawsuit over a prisoner's access to records. In that case, Attorney General Rob McKenna recently argued that felons have fewer rights to access government documents.