2025 Censorship Update - Survey Results
Viewing survey response from USP-Coleman I
- Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
"Yes. 1) Religious items such as power deck territ cards confiscated for alleged nudity.
2) Book from Midwest Books to Prisoners that simply showed a vague picture of the outside of USP Thompson alleged as potention escape material.
3) Writing & drawing from my children." - 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. " - Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
"No. 1) Freedom of Speech Rights
2) Freedom of (unrestricted) access to public & media or news. As stated in FBOP policy
3) 6th cir agree some years ago. Porn helps (cut down on) sex offenses in prison." - 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. Yes! To all above! Also effects legal access. Many court mails are treated as not legal & copied open outside my presence. Photocopy envelopes are often missing post marks & such. Privileging themselves to my legal & personal issues." - 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. Not much really, just that it's not allow & poses a threat to the facility." - 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. No. I've filled & generally the complaint at one stage or another gets trashed or impeded. The FBOP administrative remedy process is a joke, a waste of time & postage." - Why do you think prisons censor what materials you can get? What's their game?
- Is reading important to you? If yes, how so? As a way to pass time? As self-improvement? Education? Do you read daily?
"Yes. I read a lot. I have many legal actions pending in multiple fed & state court & even 2 actions filed in the United Nations. Reading keeps me up to date on news & such & what's happening in the world." - 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?
- 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. N/A" - Are you able to organize an authorized book club or reading group in your present facility?
- Have you ever participated in a book club or group?
- Have you ever been prohibited from informally discussing books as a group?
- 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. USP Thompson deny me any law library access for 8 months. USP Coleman I is lock down so much, we have no access to computers & staff won't answer requests or assist." - 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?
- Has access to the law library at your present facility changed following the pandemic? If yes, how?
"No. " - Does the facility allow you to bring books and other literature to the yard?
- Are you allowed to share books or literature? Comments on sharing?
"N/A. Somewhat. Not much is allowed on the yard, but we don't see the yard much. Lot's of lockdowns." - 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?
"No. Indigent cannot afford one $111.00. Some $6,000 in bogus debits to my account by federal courts." - Has your outgoing mail ever been censored?
- 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?
- 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.