Censorship Survey Results

As part of our campaign against prison censorship and book banning, we've sent over 1200 zines and surveys out to our incarcerated correspondents for on the ground reports so we can understand the current situation and develop strategies. Combined with the responses that others in the coalition have received, it’s a wide-ranging, enlightening, and heart-breaking perspective of the problem. It has lit a fire in our souls, reminding us of the urgency and importance of this campaign. We've summarized our analysis of these responses in the 2025 Midwest Prison Censorship Report, and we’re sharing the full responses we've received here.

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   
2. Have you ever been punished for reading material that was sent to you? If yes, what were the materials and what was the punishment?
   
3. Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
   
4. Are you in a facility that scans incoming mail? Does the mailroom copy or scan newsletters and other printed reading materials? Does the facility's scanning policy affect your ability to read books and literature?
   
5. In your present facility or any previous ones, did you receive a clear explanation of the facilities censorship policy? If yes, is it applied consistently or fairly? If no, what is it they tell you when something gets blocked?
   
6. Have you ever filed a grievance against your materials being blocked by the mailroom or getting confiscated? Were you successful? What was the explanation for blocking the material?
   
7. Why do you think prisons censor what materials you can get? What's their game?
   
8. Is reading important to you? If yes, how so? As a way to pass time? As self-improvement? Education? Do you read daily?
   
9. What do you like to read? Wha books or magazines are in your locker or on your shelf right now? How do you get books - from family? Friends? Books to prisoner projects, etc?
   
10. Are there things you want to read right now that are blocked? If so, what are they and why do you want them?
    
11. Are you able to organize an authorized book club or reading group in your present facility?
    
12. Have you ever participated in a book club or group?
    
13. Have you ever been prohibited from informally discussing books as a group?
    
14. Do you have access to a law library? If so, are passes or ducats to the library readily available or tough to get? Do you receive the materials you need? Are there any restrictions you face, or barriers to accessing materials?
    
15. How do you feel about the quality of the books made available in your facility's law library? Do you have access to printing or a copy machine? Is there a computer? What do you wish you had access to or available in a law library?
    
16. Has access to the law library at your present facility changed following the pandemic? If yes, how?
    
17. Does the facility allow you to bring books and other literature to the yard?
    
18. Are you allowed to share books or literature? Comments on sharing?
    
19. Do you use a tablet? If so, how do you feel about the options for reading material available on it? What companies provide services on it? What services do they offer?
    
20. Has your outgoing mail ever been censored?
    
21. If you are a writer or artist, have restrictions on outgoing mail ever made it difficult to publish or self-publish your writing or creative works?
    
22. Lastly, is there anything you think we on the outside or the general public need to know about censorship, reading, books, education, or your life inside? Feel free to write as much as you want. We will read and value every word.
    

Or browse survey responses by contributor:

1. IL/Wicc
2. NBCI
3. Indiana/ IYC
4. IN 46168
5. Cook County Jail
6. Cook County Jail
7. CCDOC/IL
8. llinois, USP-Marion
9. Westville Correctional Facility
10. IL, Jacksonville
11. IL, Hill corrctr
12. Pinckneyuine
13. Ind, New Castle
14. USP Marion
15. Cook County Jail
16. Westville Correctional Facility
17. USP-Beaumont
18. IL Menard Doc
19. Dixon. C.C
20. Miami Corr Fac Indiana
21. USP-Coleman I
22. Elkton FCI
23. Westville Correctional Facility
24. Pinckneyville Correctional Center
25. Menard CC IL
26. CCDOC
27. Federal Satellite Low Elkton
28. Salinas Valley State Prison
29. Federal Corr Inst. Perkin, IL
30. Pinckneyville Prison Facility
31. Big Muddy River CC IL
32. North Dakota State Penitentiary
33. Big Muddy River CC IL
34. Big Muddy River CC IL
35. Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, IN
36. N/A
37. N/A
38. Pinckneyville Corr. Ctr.
39. Centralia corrections
40. IDOC Vianna CC
41. Indiana/ISF
42. IL, Marlor
43. I.S.P
44. Clifford Clark
45. PA-Rockview
46. Dixon-Illinois
47. FCI Pekin
48. WIDOC Taycheedah
49. WI Oshkosh
50. WI Stanley Correctional
51. WIDOC Waupun
52. Western Illinois Correctional Center
53. MCC Chicago
54. Indiana Pendleton
56. Indiana, Westville
57. FCI Butner
58. USP Marion
59. WI/JCI
60. FCI Petersburg
61. WIDOC
62. WIDOC
63. NCCF