Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from WIDOC Taycheedah

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. The free ones. And the ones that are donated to Orgs. for prisoners #1 because they're not new and they don't come with a receipt."
   
   
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?
   "Yes. We're not allowed books that are rated (R): only PG13 allowed"
   
   
3. Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
   "No. Because we are all adults and we can determine if they are appropriate or not. They look at porn on their computers when they are supposedly babysitting 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?
   "Yes. Yes. We have to now go through TextBehind. We no longer get sealed mail from our children or family members. Just legal mail. What a joke!"
   
   
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 don't tell you when things get blocked. It's our responsibility to read the DOC codes"
   
   
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?
   "No. None as of yet! I don't buy the materials because I don't want to have to donate thousands of dollars to the DOC."
   
   
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. Self imnprovement and education as well. How to empower others and help others as needed."
   
   
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. Graffiti, or people (naked) to have painting self or other portraits, as I would love a job as a tattoist."
    
    
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?
    "No. Not unless you have an Open Case! And can now only order books from 2 vendors."
    
    
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. Have to drop a slip. No scheduled times, and only if you have an open case are we allowed any of the law libraries"
    
    
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. Can bring to yard however we cannot share books because "unauthorized transfer of property" and they throw them out if found in others possessions."
    
    
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. Books there are all from the 1800s not a lot of updated reading materials at all! None!"
    
    
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.