Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from Westville Correctional Facility

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. Too many to list. I am currently being denied receiving Hard-Cover Books due to safety & security issues but I can have a television or GTL-tablet with glass, and plastic that can be turn into a weapon and more of a security threat."
   
   
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?
   ". Hard-Cover books confiscated and magazines due to the content in them and I was force to have them destroyed. I had a Bible confiscated and went on a hunger strike."
   
   
3. Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
   "No. Freedom of Speech - United States Constitution of the First Amendment. Abuse of Power and Authority."
   
   
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?
   "Yes. I am being denied to have access to Hard-Cover Books stating a safety & security issues but I can have a television or GTL-tablet that has glass, and plastic that can be turn into a weapon and more of a security threat than a Hard-Cover book. The I.D.O.C is putting profits from the GTL-Tablet from music, podcast, game, and movie apps over inmates safety & security."
   
   
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?
   "No. At Wabash Valley Corr. Fac. the mail-RM told me that there's no policy on Hard-COver books and at other facilities they're restricted."
   
   
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?
   "Yes. A grievance was submitted and sent to Human Rights Watch Organization that filed a lawsuit and received a court order and injunction on Indian Dept. of Corr. that is now being violated. Another grievance is being submitted March 3, 2023."
   
   
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?
   "Yes. To pass time, self-improvement, education, and self help, and spritual. Yes, I do 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?
    "N/A. Hard-Cover books that are not sold in soft-cover, 48 Powers of Law by Robert Greene."
    
    
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?
    "No. No, I am in Restrictive Housing Unit and the facility is constantly short staffed and incarcerated individuals are not getting adequate access to Law Library. Corrupt staff/officers destroying outgoing legal mail & domestic mail."
    
    
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?
    "Yes. Short staffed constantly and not having adequate access to Law Library."
    
    
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?
    "No. Incarcerated individuals in Westville control Unit Restrictive Housing and at other I.D.O.C Facilities are punished with conduct reports of trafficking if caught sharing books or magazines."
    
    
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?
    "N/A. Music, movie, podcast, and gaming apps that Global Telecommnications Link (GTL) is "Price Gouging" inmates and their families to purchase the apps."
    
    
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.