Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from Big Muddy River CC IL

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. At the Alter of Sexual Idolatry - It is a book that focuses on sexual addiction and it was denied because it does not embrace the psychologist or psychology rather God is the answer.
   Pictures of family - because it is against rules that are written for S.O. treatment.
   I have been denied prayer cloths and prayer oils even though they have been allowed before.
   Letters that have a substance they say on it. Glitter cards, drawings, color ink/pencils writing, the list could go on."
   
   
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. Because nothing that is in this world should be denied. They should not have control over this because they are not law makers. It gives them too much control, and with that control and their ideas of what is wrong can then give them the power to ban the Bible."
   
   
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, but they are working up to it with the new rules and regulations that they are coming up with."
   
   
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, they choice what they want to ben in their view."
   
   
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. Yes - same old - No wrong doing, can send copies of them if you want"
   
   
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 use reading to educate myself - pass time - self-improvement - I read everyday. I read only Christian books."
   
   
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. At the Alter of Sexual Idolatry, and be able to get my family pictures as well."
    
    
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 go twice a week to represent myself in court. Yes, materials are hard to get only 3 case per week, can't check law books out, etc."
    
    
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. They have taken a lot of book out because they had access to Westlaw, now they do not and we don't have those books. Also, no librarian or law librarian."
    
    
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. No No No No No No No"
    
    
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. It really sucks. Every book is older then 100 years. GTL - they offer games - music - movies - e-mail."
    
    
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.