2025 Censorship Update - Survey Results
Viewing survey response from Indiana Pendleton
- Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? If so, which ones? Why? Tell us about it.
"Yes. From MIM and Midwest Books to Prisoners over the past year. I have the names of books in my grievances but pretty much so all have been confiscated by Mailroom Chambers citing "saturation" and "STG Material"" - Have you ever been punished for reading material that was sent to you? If yes, what were the materials and what was the punishment?
"Yes. Most of all books/materials that come from MIMS and Midwest Books to Prisoners. I have been punished and retaliated against such as unfactual disciplinary conduct reports to harassment from Internal INvestigations. Cannot attend special count letters. Forced to pay higher shipping costs to send the material back to the publisher." - Should the prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot read or see? If yes OR no, why?
"No. I should be able to use my 1st Amendment rights whenever I want to. If it doesn't affect the safety and security of the institution, then it should not matter. Sadly enough the prison/mailroom Yolanda Chambers censors what she wants to, especially she retaliates when you place a grievance in against her for her actions." - 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. Yes, all mail is scanned to include pictures and greeting cards, so you only receive B/W copies. Yes, the scanning policies are horrible. They are never scanned in page order, then they are upside down and double sided. You cannot follow what you're reading." - 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. Chambers only tells me what she wants me to know. Sometimes she confiscates things, sends them back and never tells you. There is never a clear censorship policy. It's only Chamber's censorship policies." - 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. Yes, several. Chambers always has her explanation for blocking which is always "Saturation" and "STG Material". Warden Reaghle always condones Chambers actions. Chambers refuses to send you copies of the saturation. Who knows if it is true? Who knows if she didn't do something to the material." - 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. Mainly knowledge and self improvement. When I can't get my books in from being censored and blocked, I have to go to my prison tablet and research case law so I can gain knowledge in fighting my case criminally and fight civilly against the prisn system for violating my constitutional rights." - 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 MIMS m aterial because it is very educational. Midwest Books to Prisoners tries to send me legal books. The recent blocked book from Midwest titled "Represent Yourself in Court" is needed for me so I can gain knowledge in what should be done in representing myself in court. I have appeals left." - 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. I signed up for book club when they had it prior to COVID but it was never added to the count. Only special inmates were hand picked. They do not allow any group meetings here, unless it is a count letter (none today). Law library: unless you have a deadline date, it is almost always impossible to get in. There are selective things you can get: they (law library supervsiors) will not do research on the net." - 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. Deadline times used to be 1 hour a day. Now 2 hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Now deadlnes get 1 hour on Tuesday and Thursday when you can get in." - 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. Yes, and I do share tyhem with those that are law minded and not doing drugs." - 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. Aweful. Most books are from the 1800s. No law books to be found. Lexis Nexis is the only good service and it's free for now." - 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.