Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from Federal Satellite Low Elkton

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. I have several magazine subscriptions and every month there are 2 or 3 missing. I have had packages rejected for not having "Approved by BOP policy" written on them.
   
   Books lost by mailroom with no rejection notice, I have just recieved an open package:
   Double Full Moon
   Mythology Cliff Notes
   Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck
   Judge Dredd Graphic Novel
   
   Rejected for nudity:
   The Vampire Film: From Nosferatu to True Blood by Andre Norton
   National Geographic Photography Book (Rejection in violation of the BOP's Code of Federal Regulations)
   
   Rejected for being hardcover:
   Billy Summer by Stephen King (Rejection also in violation of the BOP's Code of Federal Regulations)"
   
   
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. No one should be able to tell you what is permissable to see or read. And prison employees are the last people on earth who should be judging what is proper for others to view."
   
   
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. No explanation and no consistancy. Sometimes packages that are not marked "BOP Approved" get through, sometimes not. I've had a packe of books rejected and the mailroom sent me a notice that a greeting card was rejected."
   
   
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 Vampire Film" book I was able to mail home. After my grievance for the hardcover "Billy Summer", the prison ended their ban on hardcovers and claimed they sent the book back to the vendor. I did not receive the book or a refund."
   
   
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 daily and for all the reasons stated. I will give any written work a try."
   
   
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. Because of the chance of being rejected for nudity, I do not ask for any books on culture, art, photography, film critique or any book labeled "mature"."
    
    
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. I have only used the computer at the law library. As long as there is a guard there to open it, the library is accessable."
    
    
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?
    "No. "
    
    
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. You can carry books anywhere."
    
    
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 facility just started selling "Keefe Score 7c" tablets in January. It has no educational or reading material available. You can only purchase games or movies."
    
    
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.