Censorship Survey Results

Viewing survey response from MCC Chicago

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
   "Yes. The book I requested and ordered was denied because it was about Tai Chi of which they claim it was for martial arts purposes. I wanted them for meditatve purpose to help with my depression and anxiety."
   
   
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. No, but my celly was written up for having a book sent in from his family aobut how to tie up and make knots for a sailboat. He's an avid sailor and was punished for it, and of course the book was denied and SIS searched our cell for it."
   
   
3. Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
   "No. No, because if books aren't denied to the public, then why us? The general public has access to all types of things. If thye want to use the argument of safety, where as us (inmates) we have little to nothing that will cause harm, so why are you controlling it?"
   
   
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. They do scan but mostly pictures that are printed on regular printing paper in color."
   
   
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 and no, the funny thing is in the SHU here, we are allowed books and newspapers (personal books) when I learned this I had a copy of the manual and rules in SHU and my celly requested a copy and when he got it the SHU policy was missing, the SHU LT said the rules weren't in there"
   
   
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. I started to but it's no point, the BP8 goes in front of their coworkers of which it'll most likely go to a BP10 so it's not worth the confrontation."
   
   
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. Due to reading I applied myself in so many ways and I'm currently enrolled in an advanced paralegal program of which I've scored 90% on my first test and I'm now enrolling with Adams State University to get my Bachelor's Degree in sociology."
   
   
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. Oh, I ordered an Art book but it had images of statues in it so I was denied it. But I draw portraits and would like to improve my skills."
    
    
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. LImited resources and outdated books are all we have. The Blacks Law Dictionary we have is from the 8th edition, Black Law is on the 11th edition but they rely on donations they say."
    
    
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. We weren't able to go. As of now we haven't gone because of "short staff" in two weeks. They say until June or July"
    
    
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?
    "Yes. Yes, we can share books, but we have a small rooftop we go to, no yard here."
    
    
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's all movies and games, no reading materials at all, and the movies are expensive."
    
    
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.