Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from Indiana/ IYC

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. Ive had several, and most of them was Wicca Religious books. Bucklands complete book of witchcraft by Raymond Buckland for having a picture of Dicty Statue that was topples."
   
   
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. I dont think its right for them to say we cant get the material we want as long as its not illegal."
   
   
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. A lot of material my facility refuses to copy, they wont even tell us where our mail comesfrom, making it hard to reply."
   
   
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. They just say its un-authorized"
   
   
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. Ive filed and always been denied the material. Sometimes the material simply vanished or got destriyed."
   
   
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 everything from religious material to education, to fantasy i can get. Its all ive got to do here."
   
   
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. Raymond Bucklands complete book of witchcraft. They teach me step by step correct worship in lessons."
    
    
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. No they are not. Not always and its hard to request materials. Yes there are - materials will not be copied, and most are outdated."
    
    
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 number of allowed to others at a time has been lowered, and only allowed to attend 1 day a week."
    
    
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?
    "No. To share books is considered trafficking"
    
    
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 only options are books that the copy rights have expired on and most are from the 1800's. GTL provides the services, free out-dated books, phone."
    
    
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.