2025 Censorship Update - Survey Results
Viewing survey response from WI Oshkosh
- Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
"Yes. I forgot what exactly they were but I know they were religious books sent to me the "wrong way"" - 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. No, but I would be sad if that happened. I would be sad because why am I getting punished for wanting to read cute lesbian romance manga" - Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
"No. Because what is really so wrong about me wanting to read a big book about Pokemon? I heard that someone in my prison tried getting a POkemon and it was banned." - 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. All the mail comes through TextBehind. Yes it does because the scanned copies are hard to read at times!" - 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. I never and don't really know the censorship policy" - 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. No, I haven't had something liek that happen to me yet." - Why do you think prisons censor what materials you can get? What's their game?
- Is reading important to you? If yes, how so? As a way to pass time? As self-improvement? Education? Do you read daily?
"Yes. It's a way for me to find inspiration for stories I want to write" - 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?
- Are there things you want to read right now that are blocked? If so, what are they and why do you want them?
"No. " - Are you able to organize an authorized book club or reading group in your present facility?
- Have you ever participated in a book club or group?
- Have you ever been prohibited from informally discussing books as a group?
- 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. " - 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?
- Has access to the law library at your present facility changed following the pandemic? If yes, how?
"No. " - Does the facility allow you to bring books and other literature to the yard?
- Are you allowed to share books or literature? Comments on sharing?
"No. We are not allowed to share books for some odd reason" - 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. I feel like reading options are very limited, I don't know the company" - Has your outgoing mail ever been censored?
- 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?
- 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.