Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from Clifford Clark

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. Comics, photobooks, art books. They say SEI meaning sexual explicit image. Whenever prea came out TDCJ decided to go extreme over board and ban all pornography"
   
   
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. The prisons dont want us learning. To many beast when they read and learn and finally hear with the eyes and see with their ears by keeping people dumb. We cant properly fight our cases, advance, grow or fight injustice the prison does to us."
   
   
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. They dont yet, but they are tying yo introduce tablets to us for that purpose its only a matter of time."
   
   
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. Due to prea law back from the early 2000's, they claimed sexual boom was why people get raped which was a lie. The other book, they deny because they actually teach us to think."
   
   
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. So I filed 2 lawsuits against bill clements, the mail room staff, the head of TDCJ, and the director and warden because im broke my cases are pending so Im creating a paper trail against the mail room."
   
   
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. Im trying to prosper. Time to learn; some of the greatest minds came out of prison. Truth is hidden in Guukp, seek you shall find the bible said. I want to escape the mind traps by reading enjoy art. Reading is a free vacation."
   
   
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. Art books, porn mags, adult books, books about psychological, travel books, adult comics, how to books, fighting books, certain workout books, books on anatomy."
    
    
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. But barely, each law library in TDCJ is poor they dont have shit, locking up innocent and guilty people in slave state texas is big money. Be found guilty you become a slave."
    
    
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. They was trash before the pandemic and they are equally trash if not more."
    
    
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. Got attacked with chemicals and by C.O's my books were destroyed on purpose"
    
    
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?
    "No. "
    
    
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.