Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from Menard CC IL

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. I am an avid reader, so I've had several dozen books, and other materials blocked or confiscated. I cannot remember them all, but most recently, I had a graphic novel blocked. I greived it and won, but never received the book. Denying me my book, after the Director approved me to have, felt like they wanted to send me a message: that no matter what, Menard can do as they please, that they can break the law and get away with it. What else could I take away from their actions?"
   
   
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?
   "No. Prisons shouldn't have the right to control what incarcerated people read. I am a first time offender, during my incarceration I have been housed in two "Correctional Centers". In both I observed one fundamental political mind, that of the Alt-Right. Many of the CO's of all ranks regurgitate the talking points of the Far-Right Conservatives. Some are so bold to spew White-Supremist idealogies. Seeing how most of the prison population, from prisons I've been to, are overwhelming non-white it isn't hard to understand why prisons shouldn't have the power to control reading material. To me it is obvious that they will restrict any book that undermines any idealogy or political system they practice or belive in."
   
   
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. No"
   
   
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 my previous and present facility, the book censorship policy is vague. It basically is up to whoever is in the mail room."
   
   
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. I have filed a grievance against material being block by the mail room. I won some of them, when I do, I rarely gotten the book. The explanation for blocking the material I tried to get in varies, and is vague, but mostly it is because the mail room officer didn't like it."
   
   
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. I read for self-employment, education, and for intellectual enlightenment. Reading is very important to me and I 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?
    "Yes. There are a few books that come to mind. There was one about Jeff Fort, the founder of the Black P Stone organization. I wanted it because he fascinates me. Another was a book about the Black Panther Party. I want it because of align idealogy with the Black Panthers."
    
    
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. It is not an easy task to get into the law library. You have to know one of the law clerks to gain meaningful access."
    
    
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. The law library is closed, the law clerks come to us."
    
    
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. We are not allowed to bring books to the yard, but we can share books with each other (although doing so is against the rules)"
    
    
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 options for reading material on our tablets is outdated. The tablet only has books that are public domain, most of the books refer to Black Americans as negro or colored. They company that provides service on our tablets is GTL and we get the bare minimum. All we have is a lot of censored music, movies, and books. They also censor our messages."
    
    
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.