2025 Censorship Update - Survey Results
Viewing survey response from Western Illinois Correctional Center
- Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
"Yes. The first set of pictures ever sent to me at the beginning of my bid were returned to sender due to "nudity and sexually explicit material" because they included a photo of my daughter's mom in a swimsuit, holding my daughter who was around eleven months old at the time, at a public pool although there were others (kids included) in the background. Another time pictures were returned was due to money being shown, a dollar in an Easter egg my six year old son was holding following an egg hunt. Reading material was also returned such as a history magazine regarding World War II because it had firearms in it and a manga comic book called Beserk due to "nudity and sexually explicit material." I guess these things and a black and white anime toon nip are deemed offensive and too inappropriate for mature adults." - 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. I habe not been punished myself although I did witness another detainee receive seg time because a letter sent to him by a loved one had too much perfume on it and the jail determined it was saturated with "suspected narcotice". No questions asked. No proof offered." - Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
"No. Especially pretrial detaines that have not yet been convicted as they are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Innocent individuals ought to have the freedom and accesss to any reading material they desire, minus the obviously detrimental content, If detained, reading material containg ways to make weapons or how to escape being restricted is understandable. Otherwise, no. I do not see a reason to have control over what is read and seen. Same applies to convicted prisoners. Having suh a power doesn't contribute much to rehabilitation, and to those doing life its just pointless." - 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. Does the mailroom... No." - 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. Included with this urvey is my most recent notice of returned mail which was for the Beserk manga comic mentioned in my response to question 1. If something is denied, this is all we get." - 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.. " - 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?
". " - 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?
". " - 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?
". " - 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?
". " - 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?
". " - 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?
". " - 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.