2025 Censorship Update - Survey Results
Viewing survey response from CCDOC/IL
- Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
"Yes. I have had blank cards and holiday cards blocked because they stopped allowing them in. I cannot recall if any books have been blocked. They have never confiscated a book from me, praise god, oh wait, after a shake down, I noticed that my book "Unlocking the Dream vision" was missing once and I had to replace it. I never found out what happened to it." - 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. " - Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
"No. Institutions should not limit what we read or see because they do not know why we want to see or read the materials we are sending in, they cannot read our minds nor do they truly understand what we are trying to do in our individual paths." - 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. My facility does not scan incoming mail. The mailroom does not copy or scan newsletters and other reading materials that I am aware of." - 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. If something is blocked, we receive a yellow carbon copy notice informing us that an item was returned and an item(s) will be checked to indicate which item and a brief explanation may be providfed at the bottom of the notice." - 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?
"Yes. Reading is my method of expanding my knowledge and wisdom in order to grow mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I also use reading for recreation as a way to relax and escape into another world. I read everyday at various points throughout the day." - 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 like to learn and I know that books of people (like 48 laws of power) are being restricted to prevent people from organizing and revolting, but should we be limited to our access in violation of the 1st Amendment?" - 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. The law librarian comes to us upon requests given to the counselor, we no longer have access to the physical Law Library since COVID and even then, only certain divisions have a law library within. I do not receive materials need. I cannot get copies made of my certificates to give to my PD because law librarian wont copy them since they are not "legal documents"" - 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?
"Yes. Access to physical law library in the Divisions that have been removed, now law librarians service is by request from indivdual detainees." - 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?
"Yes. I am in protective custody and do not have access to the yard so I dont know" - 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. The reading materials are very restricted. The company is Edovo. The services offered are educational, movies, games, digital radio for recreational. There is also a phone system that sucks." - 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.