Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from North Dakota State Penitentiary

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. Only because they were stained and they said it could be drugs or unrelated substances on them. They all came from Midwest Books."
   
   
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, because I feel it falls under my first amendment law with the Freedom of Speech and so many other reasons. They try to say the material is gonna make us do more wrong things, but whether we read it or not, if we're gonna out, we're gonna. So them taking thing's away like that is not right."
   
   
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. Yes, I'm in a facility that scans mail on to our tables. No, it does not affect books or magazines or newspaper."
   
   
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?
   "Yes. They gave us the why and how come they feel things are to be banned and they also give us the option to have warden review to have him decide if the mail room decision is valid."
   
   
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. No, I have never been successful. The warden and director have always agreed with the mail room's decision."
   
   
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. Yes, it's important. It helps pass time. Helps me become smarter. Also helps clam me down at times. It also helps me escape reality. I also do 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 lots of books, magazines, newsletters blocked because either nudity or sexual talk or sexuality act. That makes no sense because I'm an adult and enjoy the content, but also everything around those things that get the whole thing blocked."
    
    
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. Our law library is on our tablets at NDSP."
    
    
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. Just made a list to use the copy/computer."
    
    
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. Not allowed to share anything, big rule. No loaning and borrowing allowed."
    
    
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. Securius/JPay, they do not provide reading material other then our law library."
    
    
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.