Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from Pinckneyville Correctional Center

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. Of course magazines that the IDOC labes as "Obscene" because of nudity. Also alot of religious books that us Odinist/Asatru or other Pagan or Heathens try to get sent in. I had a course I paid for get denied (in Menard Cor. Ctr,) just because it was from the Church of Wicca. Odinist books all the time."
   
   
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?
   "Yes. They give us STG gang tickets even though not in one) for books on runes, ethics, or anything they deem we shouldn't have. We can get from 6mo - 1yr in seq and even a transfer to a higher secutiry prison. 90% of the time the "offensive" material is harmless."
   
   
3. Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
   "No. Everyone has the right to read/see/believe whatever they want. Reading expands the mind and allows us the opportunity to see/view/debate other people's beliefs. Unless someone acts out because of their beliefs they should be punished but not everyone. People should be held accountable for their actions, not placing it on others, or something they read."
   
   
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?
   "No. This facility has brought it up but does not do it yet."
   
   
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. When something is denied we get no say-so and the paper we get is too vague with simple descriptions such as - obsinity on pg 24, or security threat on page 24..."
   
   
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. The greivance was unsuccessful, the #1 reason, which we cannot get around is they say "for the safety and securty of the institution" they will not allow it in."
   
   
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. Reading expands the mind, opens up new nworlds, introduces us to other cultures, lets us see and hear other viewpoints. Reading allows us to be present in a certain time when the book was written."
   
   
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. Certain books that elicit a strong emotional response ae banned. Opposing religious or political viewpoints often do this in a negative way. Some Odinist/Asatru books do this because they go against the social norms such as being folkish, and self-empowerment."
    
    
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. You can easily go to the law library but you are not allowed to walk around and do your own research. You have to know what you are requesting ahead of time, then they bring it to your if they have it. Usually they don't."
    
    
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. During the pandemic, we had no access and bare seen the paralegals. They did no rounds. Now we get to and hope to know what we need."
    
    
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?
    "N/A. We cannot bring them to the yard. In Menard Cor. Ctr. I was threatened with a STG ticket for bringing RPG books to the yard."
    
    
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. The reading material on our tablets are from the Mid-50's and back. All outdated materials. GTL is the service provider and it is no good."
    
    
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.