Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from Miami Corr Fac Indiana

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. Bible studies, Bible Certicates, and books from book clubs. The books from the book clubs get confiscated because they say that there is unknown substances in them. Its just a way for them to keep them from us."
   
   
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?
   "No. "
   
   
3. Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
   "Yes. I think they should to an extent. But the prison I am at goes way overboard on there discreation. They seem mad at the world so they take it out on us, by keeping stuff from us."
   
   
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. At this facility they scan our legal mail, and destroy the original which is against the law. And a lot of times they open it up before it gets to you which is also against the law."
   
   
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. All they usually say is it is confiscated due to facility policy. If you are lucky they might give you a bullshit excuse why they confiscated it. It all comes down to them trying to control us."
   
   
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?
   "No. "
   
   
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. All of the above. When I am reading a book I am not in prison, I am in the story. Plus the only way I am going to better myself so I dont come back to this place is education, because this place doesn't offer no other way to better myself. Yes every day."
   
   
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?
    "Yes. Asatru books and material, and also some other religious material that they dont agree with. Just because they dont agree with the stuff is not reason to keep it from us."
    
    
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?
    "Yes. We can go to the law library only if you have deadlines to meet. This facility has a library but we are not allowed to go to it because they can't keep enough staff here to run the prison. So we are not allowed to use the library."
    
    
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. There is not enough staff so we can only go if we have a deadline."
    
    
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?
    "Yes. "
    
    
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?
    "Yes. I love it because we can't go to the library to get books anymore and they keep taking the books that the book clubs keep sending me. GTL"
    
    
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.