Censorship Survey Results

2025 Censorship Update - Survey Results

Are there things you want to read right now that are blocked? If so, what are they and why do you want them?

Yes: 74%     No: 26%
"Yes. I want to read books about linux (I was a sysadmin) but all of them are forbidden. Same with books that continue to teach upgraded/update software & technology."
IL/Wicc
"Yes. Computer book. They dont want us learning computers. Yet the world is basically run by computers."
NBCI
"Yes. Raymond Bucklands complete book of witchcraft. They teach me step by step correct worship in lessons."
Indiana/ IYC
"Yes. Books about serial killers, some on WWII, Robert Green books, art books because they "show" nudity."
IN 46168
"Yes. Some magazines Madd, XXL, Maxim, etc."
Cook County Jail
"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?"
CCDOC/IL
"Yes. I want to read everything of mines that were blocked in the past from prison legal news and prisoner revolutionary. I want to see what the censorship was really about."
Westville Correctional Facility
"Yes. Nudity is blocked. It's blocked just because of skin, it is not obseen or vulger."
IL, Hill corrctr
"Yes. Satanic Bible for religious purposes"
Pinckneyuine
"Yes. Don Diva magazine. And I want it because it keeps you informed as to whats going on in the system (justice) of our country"
Ind, New Castle
"Yes. I'm studying political science and would like to know about the WOKE movement and other radical orgs."
USP Marion
"Yes. Everything! I'm supposed to and "not" supposed too. To rehabilitate and know my legal rights. And every opportunity the free world has. I been incarcerated 21 yrs. It's a brand new world to me out there. I need to be ready."
Cook County Jail
"N/A. Hard-Cover books that are not sold in soft-cover, 48 Powers of Law by Robert Greene."
Westville Correctional Facility
"Yes. Yeah, I would like to read the magazine midwest books to prisoners sent to me when I was at USP-Thomson (smu)"
USP-Beaumont
"Yes. House-building books to keep abreast of new technology, tools, etc. Yet, on TV I can learn and take notes. Would my notes constitute "banned material"? Probably. Can you say blanket (lazy) oppression? And; black, indigenous, P.O.C. history books so I can learn about my fellow man;s experience I didn't have to suffer through to foment love and compassion."
IL Menard Doc
"Yes. Computer repair books, that is my biz idea = maintenance of computer systems"
Dixon. C.C
"Yes. Asatru books and material, and also some other religious material that they dont agree with. Just because they dont agree with the stuff is not reason to keep it from us."
Miami Corr Fac Indiana
"N/A. N/A"
USP-Coleman I
"N/A. I've accepted the BOP's restrictions regarding classic act - that has been the only challenge I've faced."
Elkton FCI
"Yes. How to books on construction stuff so I can start and run a construction business when I get out of prison."
Westville Correctional Facility
"Yes. Certain books that elicit a strong emotional response ae banned. Opposing religious or political viewpoints often do this in a negative way. Some Odinist/Asatru books do this because they go against the social norms such as being folkish, and self-empowerment."
Pinckneyville Correctional Center
"Yes. There are a few books that come to mind. There was one about Jeff Fort, the founder of the Black P Stone organization. I wanted it because he fascinates me. Another was a book about the Black Panther Party. I want it because of align idealogy with the Black Panthers."
Menard CC IL
"No. "
CCDOC
"Yes. Because of the chance of being rejected for nudity, I do not ask for any books on culture, art, photography, film critique or any book labeled "mature"."
Federal Satellite Low Elkton
"Yes. Atlases. They don't want us to have maps. I like reading about other places and travel."
Federal Corr Inst. Perkin, IL
"Yes. There are lots of books, magazines, newsletters blocked because either nudity or sexual talk or sexuality act. That makes no sense because I'm an adult and enjoy the content, but also everything around those things that get the whole thing blocked."
North Dakota State Penitentiary
"Yes. At the Alter of Sexual Idolatry, and be able to get my family pictures as well."
Big Muddy River CC IL
"N/A. I just want what they've taken, what belongs to me, they took for no reason."
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, IN
"Yes. I want everything that is sent to me. But many times I dont even know it was sent to me because its stolen."
N/A
"Yes. I would like to read Nuts/Volts study guide and theuy owe me about 3 or 4 mailing."
N/A
"Yes. Legal law books need soft cover. Because I want to learn the law since I cannot afford to pay for an education in that field. So I can help myself and others in my situation."
Pinckneyville Corr. Ctr.
"Yes. Kite magazine! Because they usually publish inside the magazine new laws that are passed to help prisoners or ways to beat case or information on how to win lawsuits"
Indiana/ISF
"Somewhat. Staff just took everything from my room, all of my books, all my legal work. I mean all of my property, they claim I have too much even though it was orderly stored."
IL, Marlor
"Yes. OSHA codes, American Correctional Association Handbook"
I.S.P
"Yes. Art books, porn mags, adult books, books about psychological, travel books, adult comics, how to books, fighting books, certain workout books, books on anatomy."
Clifford Clark
"Yes. Our list of blocked material is so long it would be too pricey to even mail you and show you. The ONLY thing molding all of this back is inmates refusal to take the BP process all the way and then file a lawsuit. Retaliation is ALWAYS a valid fear."
FCI Pekin
"Yes. Graffiti, or people (naked) to have painting self or other portraits, as I would love a job as a tattoist."
WIDOC Taycheedah
"Yes. I find alternative materials and means to read blocked items. Where there is a will, there is a way."
WI Stanley Correctional
"Yes. I think the big one is Sun Tzu's "Art of War". It's one of the most significant historical texts out there, and I have a cultural connection to it as I'm Chinese. I'm of the opinion the ban on this book is racially motivated, or rather was when it first was banned, and the DOC is too stubborn to change. It's not like "The Art of War" holds any secrets these days, with some of his teachings being absorbed into modern psychology. And I can still access Machiavelli's writings, as well as a number of modern military strategy/tactic books and rather aggressive pseudo-psychology self-help books by Western authors.
I'm vaguely curious in reading/suing the manga volumes I was denied that are [part of the same series that other volumes were approved. I can't believe a manga that hides nudity in one volume would show it in another, especially since both series have "Teen" ratings"
WIDOC Waupun
"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."
MCC Chicago
"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."
Indiana Pendleton
"No. Confiscated/blocked materials has not been a recent problem for me or others taht I know of. Some books are only available in hardback editions which have never been allowed."
"Yes. They blocked parenting books and magazines without explaining why. Why am I unable to better myself for my two children?"
USP Marion
"Yes. All of the above."
WI/JCI
"Yes. Revolutionary Suicide by Huey P Newton"
FCI Petersburg
"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."
WIDOC
"No. "
NCCF