2025 Censorship Update - Survey Results
Viewing survey response from WIDOC
- Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
"Yes. OUT Magazine, Vogue. It's a mainstream LGBTQ magazine that is commonly called "obscene pornography" and "injurious material". I subscribe to this as many other inmates do the institution library did so but it is routinely targeted each issue now." - 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" - Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
"No. I was confined in the 1990s and actual pornography like "hustler" and "black tail" was allowed without problems and in 1997 it was taken away and thereafter the Dept has just not had any ability to actually enact a uniform policy by which I mean enforce the written one they have, they just do what they want and cite the policy" - 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 of our non priviletged mail goes to a mail service called "TextBehind" in Maryland. They don't even allow actual photos anymore, only the crap copies from textbehind of the photos on paper. Your mnail is delayed by up to 2 weeks in non holiday 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?
"Yes. The policy is clearly listed in Wisconsin Aministrative Code Dept of Corrections 309.04 / 309.05 and pornography is clearly defined in 309.02. No! it's not applied fairly ever! Staff can choose at a whim what do deny." - 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. Absolutely not. I ahve filed on each issue and filed the 2nd step example cited as 'obscene pornography' to deny entire issues of "Out" magazine Jan/Feb 2023 was page 62 of what the magazine itself calls 2 men hugging. The prison claims one is a woman and you can see her breast in the mirror (although it is clearly a man and he has a beard)." - 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. I read daily, it helps me learn about myself, this struggle we fight as transgender women, people & working people." - 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?
"Yes. I want my magazines unblocked. I want them as they are not blocked by any actual policy enforcement but merely a religious fascist viewpoint of what should be blocked." - 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.