Censorship Survey Results

"N/A"
IL/Wicc

"Censorship just keeps getting worse. Im treated like an animal here without any rights. Since I have no contacts on the outside its very hard for me to get books or literature. I can use all donations. Please help. Met me know if you even recieve this back. Thank You. Blessed Be"
NBCI

"Censorship and policys are vague, not properly applied, or applied by the whim of whoever is looking at the items. There are no proper standards across the board. Education is poor. There are not enough activities to keep busy."
Indiana/ IYC

"That we are not valued and they dont have any programs so this place isn't in the business of correcting at all."
IN 46168

"Not only that the USA Government want yo ucripple, slave and to be not educated, but they are trying to transform you all to their robots."
Cook County Jail

"I think there is a lot that I could say about this place that would shock and repulse people if they even believed it. There is so much evil in here and the corruption is great, but there are good people that work here and there are good men and women trapped in here. We are human beings, not demons. The world casts us out and ignores us while we rae not in chains, but we have brains, families, love, and God to hold us through."
CCDOC/IL

"We dont have what society is led to believe we do - Reading material, health care, legal access, and just respect as humans. Jails & prisons get away with lots of misdeed, both illegal & unconstitutional. See law suits - state & federal facilities."
llinois, USP-Marion

"As someone who has been in prison for 20 years, I value reading and educating myself. It's unfortunate that some prisons have the tendency to censor things that are educational. Is it fair? Of course not but this system wasn't designed with fairness in mind."
Westville Correctional Facility

"They say, no tribul or gang sayings or nude will be blocked"
IL, Hill corrctr

"I dont know too much about it but wouldn't mind learning more."
Pinckneyuine

"Citizens out there need to know that just because I've made a mistake in my life, my rights still (should) exist. I'm still an American, a country that has a constitution and preaches freedom. But yet we are leading the entire world in incarceration! If you're reading this, you're getting involved. Keep getting involved!!"
Ind, New Castle

"The BOP offers no beneficial education. Only some generic classes to make it look like as if they're doing something."
USP Marion

"No rehabilitation for individuals that want to change their life. For instance, I been incarcerated 21 years. 24 more to go. I want all the education I can get but the system chooses short timers or people that don't want the course, opportunity. Leaving boys like me with real time with no chances of rehabilitation. Left to die slow mentally."
Cook County Jail

"The Indiana Dept. of Correction polices itself and covers-up staff/officer assualts on inmates and has denied me security camera evidence of assualts, but they are quick to collect evidence and criminality charge a inmate when a staff and officer is assualted. Poor mental health on April 19, 2022, I was in intensive care due to a suicide attempt and as of this date and time march 3, 2023, I have received "no" mental health treatment and the United States Dept. of Justice has mishandled my complaints on the Indiana Dept of Corr.
I am also truly Innocent and have been wrongly convicted and incarcerated on Junk dna science with dna contamination in a brand-new Indiana State Police crime lot and the state of Indiana has a "History" of their courts and prosecutars utilizing labratories that have innocent people wrongly convicted and incarcerated. In my case I have a small town Milan, Indiana Police Dept. admitting to telling someone to take evidence home with them when police officers are trained to collect evidence. The same police dept. admitted to destroying evidence that they collected. There are many more issues in my case that would shock you and if you or anybody else is interested in hearing more and would like to recieve additional proof and evidence that has a truly innocent man wronly convicted and incarcerated then please write to me.
Since my wrongful conviction and incarceration in 2010, I have been retaliated against the Indiana Dept. of Correction for advocating and protesting my prisoner Human Rights by being placed in long-term lock-up segregation and locked in cells covered in feces, urine, and rotting food where I have attempted many suicide attempts. I have recently wrote to University Law Schools and other organizations to represent me in a "Right To Die" case because I should have a Right To Die rather than spend the rest of my natural life in prison for a crime that I did not commit and have been wronly convicted and incarcerated on. With my many suicide attemps documented in the Indiana Dept. of Correction, they have been negligent in providing me any mental health help or treatment on January 31, 2023. I mailed the United States Dept. of Justice and very large and thick manilla envelope with proof and evidence of the above mentioned issues and have yet to hear a response from them since they have mishandled my complaints in the past. This time I attached two files, one from a United States Senator Mike Braon from U.S Senate Judiciary Committee and a letter from state of Indiana Representative Dr.Vernon G. Smith requestion an investigation and criminal federal charges on I.D.O.C prison employees. I also wrote U.S. Congressmann Andre Carson to add to the "George Floyd Bill" to take "Immunity" from D.O.C employees so they can be sued in legal litigation because D.O.C employees does not care about lawsuits because it's "no" money out their pocket."
Westville Correctional Facility

"My life inside has been a learning experience, which will help me materialize my goals (god willing). I've been leaning law, patience, whcih is helping me with my growth! Development in life and throughout life! And by learning law, I'd like to help in this fight against all forms of oppression/repression."
USP-Beaumont

"Real simple: Not enough people want to read or learn. I try giving away books and people dont care unless its about Gucci, "drop" ARPs, money & dro! WTF? I keep trying to enlighten, though. One candle expells a lot of darkness."
IL Menard Doc

"I think it is messed up we are put in prison because we did something wrong, and while here we are supposed to rehabilitate ourselfs so we can be a better member of society when we get out but prisons like this one continually punish us by not allowing us opportunities to change. How can we change and get better when we are constantly beaten down. The prison system in a whole needs to be revamped."
Miami Corr Fac Indiana

"Yes! I've enclosed 10 pages about the misconducts of the FBOP & broken Fed Court systems. I need assistance & funds ASAP! Please!!"
USP-Coleman I

"The BOP plays the "cover ones behind" approach to policies that appear to be thoughtful & even handed. One blatant example of being heavy handed is that any noticed criticism to the staff, especially the warden, lands one in the hole."
Elkton FCI

"The facility is censoring my books on "How To" like "Basic Wiring & Basic Plumbing" that Midwest Books to Prisoners sent me, saying "The Books are Prohibited Items". I am trying to start a construction business when I get out of prison, but the facility is hindering me to learn the construction things I need to learn to better my business. I even took a class on building trades and they have these same books and teach them in that class. I need your help on this issue badly so I can be a better, positive, and productive member of my community when I get out of prison."
Westville Correctional Facility

"In the twenty years that I have been a captive of the IDOC, the corrupt administration pretty much censors any literature that they know could have a beneficial effect on the way we think or act. The policies they use to enforce these censorships are so vague, it is impossible to combat them.
Anything that promtes unity, free thinking, perosnal development, or non-mainstream literature can easily be turned around by them simply saying there is a marker or highlighter mark in it, it has a sticker or tape on it, there is a white-out on it or a many of the other fabricated excuse they want.
In the American prison system we captives are equally oppressed. They view all open-minded, like-minded free thinkers as a threat to their crushing grip of control. It may not seem like it but thats only because the numbers vary so much on the amount of blacks, white, asian, and latins incarcerated. A book about Bruce Lee can be denied because it speaks of his fighting style. A book about Nelson Mandela because he stood up for what was right. A book about the cartels in Mexico or even a WWII history book can be denied for any reason real or fake.
It is nearly impossible to combat these oppressive rules from the inside. Our voices are not loud enough and as soon as we yell we are beaten, abused, locked away from everyone else or transfered. Any right we had to free-thinking was stripped from us the moment we entered these walls. They know the pen is mightier than the sword. Even though they hold the sword to our neck, our eyes are opened as we read books about our past, our heros, our future.
I would personally like to thank everyone in stopping this unjust censorship and all who provide books and other literature to the oppressed prison populations."
Pinckneyville Correctional Center

"There is so much I want people in the general public to know and understand about their fellow incarcerated brothers and sisters. Most of it I can't convey in a way most would understand. However, I want those on the outside to know this: prisons are not desgned, as they are now, to rehabilitate most incarcerated people in any meaningful way.

In my experience, during my ten years of incarceration, I have realized one thing. These prisons are overseen, supervised, and operated by white-supremist... I am not being hyperbolic. To expect them to enforce any policy is obsurd. Progressive legislatures can pass laws to do so, but it will rarely be enforced by the prison. On the other hand, any policy that adversely impact incarcerated people will be eagerly enforced. In such an environent is rehabilitation truly possible?

Prisons are designed, for the most part, to break us down mentally, physically, and emotionally. It seems as though they delibrately do everything in their power to make us miserable. You might be thinking that, as a convict or a criminal, I deserve to be treated, inhumanly. However, we are all criminals... the only difference between you and I is that I got caught and you have not. Depending on your race, you have been caught, but have received a slap on the wrist. Is that justice? Is that the Law and Order?

We can do better regarding prisons, as a society we have to. Many European countries are more compassionate regarding their incarcerated people, and they return truly rehabilitated - for the most part. To truly fix this unjust prison system, we must redo one amendment, we most remove one of it's clauses. We have to rework the 13th Amendment because, despite what most people believe, it does not abolish slavery. If we were to remove the clause in the 13th Amendment that allows slavery for the conviction of a crime, the prison system would be a place, to truly rehabilitate. Let us finally abolish slavery in all it's forms, let's amend the 13th Amendment."
Menard CC IL

"What I want to say to the people on the outside is - contunie to help us keep our head up. The support that you give may seem small to you - but it means the world to us. Love, Peace, and Prosperity."
CCDOC

"All the books here are donated by inmates. The prison has no program to supply inmates with any reading materials. I have had books rejected for no reason, the wrong reasoon writtien on the rejection form, and rejected in violation of their own Federal Regulations. I have included a copy of the generic rejection slip we receive when something is rejected."
Federal Satellite Low Elkton

"I need to talk directly to one person."
Salinas Valley State Prison

"They no longer let us use the Pell Grant for distance learning. It will have to be or a college that comes here which is still in the works. Not much available for those who have a H.S. diploma. Medical and Dental care are not very good! Been waiting 2 and half years for a filling. Meal portions keep getting cut."
Federal Corr Inst. Perkin, IL

"I think all our outgoing mail shouldn't be read if they would treat us like human beings and not be control freaks and give us good health care and have everything on commissary, not out of stuff all the time and not have a limit of favor the (PLEASE FINISH HERE)"
Pinckneyville Prison Facility

"I thank you guys for valuing the censorship that's going on in the prison system and for doing the best you guys can to get it out there for everyone to understand."
North Dakota State Penitentiary

"They censor other items as well. No name printings from library's - FOIA Request - The prison has gone wild."
Big Muddy River CC IL

"I'll get back to this another time you'll send me into a rent : ) Be smooth."
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, IN

"Please see attached letter"
N/A

"I would like you to focus on the Federal Bureau of Prison (FBOP) as a growing Criminal Organization whose face only belongs to a title but whose job depends on criminals so they grow criminals not reform."
N/A

"When you are sent to segregation they wont allow you to have hard cover books and I dont understand why!? They dont want you having too much insight about the system, so books like that they try to keep out of the prison. If you can send me a paralegal material to study, I would be greatful. (soft cover)"
Pinckneyville Corr. Ctr.

"Your zine is very informative. Thank you. Please send more stuff."
Centralia corrections

"N/A"
IDOC Vianna CC

"I do not agree with any form of censorship of reading material. I may not agree with something but it should be up to the adults to censor not the Government."
IL, Marlor

"To read is to share in the market place of ideals. As it stands tofay it is the only form of rehab I will get. I grew upon 1624 w Beach Ave Chicago IL, 60622 You want me as your neighbor without no rehab? When I get out. See you soon neighbor!"
I.S.P

"I mean I gave it to you raw"
Clifford Clark

"They treat mentally handicapped people like shit. They refuse to give inmates their food trays if they're having pyschotic episodes. They m ake fun of people who are mentally ill, Guards set people up."
PA-Rockview

"Learn all about God and Jesus and the future of the old prophesis, and revelation. It's real! I end the task with the words of shalom, shalom, shalom. Repent this is why America is down and will be under attack! Truthfully Russia, China, and Germany! I need help, Im not hiding."
Dixon-Illinois

"We're not allowed to order books from anywhere other than receive books without a reciept! Now no art books that teach you things. They want us now to just order from Union Supply Co or J.D. Marcus because they offer some there! No children’s coloring books! We are mothers and grandmothers! If we get them, we have to either destroy or donate! Wish we could have Law Library on our tablets with flash drives, not allowed yet, that’s what’s important! I can’t get no legal help unless I have an Open Case.

I have been incarcerated 18 years! We are not allowed anything that shows body parts! We’re not allowed journals of any sort! How to draw or create unless they’re in J.D. Marcus or Union Supply just so we have to pay high prices for the books, because the system gets a huge cut for our staff who say that they’re underpaid to sit on a computer all day or sit there and do nothing and yell and scream at us from the officer’s desk! They bully us women, take advantage of our surroundings, they now don’t even have to have a High School Education or GED to be employed. All the old officers leave because of the way they treat us women.

We have mold and rust everywhere, but don’t have the money to replace these items - beds, showers, cabinets where we put our clothing and underwear. Rust is an item that can cause lockjaw - mold can kill us! They’d rather use taxpayer dollars to buy lights on their heads for the medication line, or lighted wheels on their health care emergency medical bags! And 1/2 the time the boys are full with items that are non-functioning. They say they’re understaffed so they can cage us up like animals and when they let us out at the least 10 people go to see because they’re wound up! They lock us down when Madison comes in to see how we are treated, and no one can talk to any of them. They cover up a lot! Especially the men COs that yell and scream at us because they’re overworked - yeah ok 1/2 of the COs fall asleep on their jobs! But they don’t reprimand them for that! We are a med-max facility that most of us all get treated like we’re sypermax or death row! Our grievance system is for the COs.
Thanks for allowing me to respond. I will write anytime. I am a Voice from within these Walls!"
WIDOC Taycheedah

"CENSORSHIP: I, for one, hate censorship, especially when it comes to censoring expressive media where it's to the point that no one is allowed to express anything anymore. I love the right to free speech because the right to express one's self or moreso the ability to is one of the best parts of life.

READING, BOOKS and EDUCATION
All three of these go hand in hand, because all three are very important for all three of these are how we can a better place for ourselves as inmates and ultimately as people

MY LIFE INSIDE
My life inside prison has been one of great intrigue and a lot of surprises for one as this is my first (and last, hopefully) bit, I never ever thought in my life that I'd ever end up in a place like this. I should have considered it, considering what I did to get locked up int he first place. The most I will say about that is that it will be a black mark on my soul for as long as I shall live. For two I never thought I'd have a group of people to call my friends considering the fact that I am transgender and socially awkward. I'm really thankful to have a lot of people looking out for me. I write this while I'm stuck in the hole and hope I return to my yard where they are at. I'm really glad I received your flyer because I always wanted to join or be a part of something that I could change something big. It's like I can finally be a hero, kind of. I hope to see more interesting stuff from you guys here soon. Also I really would like to be referred to as Reaka Ichigo Hernandez
With Sincerity,"
WI Oshkosh

"I have enclosed your survey as well, sorry for the poor typing, forms are a challenge for me, and you do not wish to struggle reading my handwriting, that would be cruel and unusual punishment.

The public does not understand where their money is being spent under the umbrella of "prisons" - they do not understand rehabilitation: reading materials and even hygiene items are not provided as they should be.

In general, the Wisconsin Department Of Corrections struggles with understanding or appreciating the value of reading materials, whether provided from the "outside" to a offender or through the institution library. There is a concern the materials will have a negative effect on the prison population, security and more importantly what society will think. The DOC experienced this when society discovered pornography was permitted, when that was learned, it was removed in record times 20 plus years ago.

Admittedly, the type and quality (love that word) , of offender has changed over the years. In fact "old school guys" such as myself have now said, "They (Society) will let anyone into prison now." The type of offenders are uneducated, born with various disabilities due to the parent's use of drugs during gestation, and poor health care. These inmates of ten refer to each other as "crack babies".

Times have changed. Mental health issues have become far worse, prisons now house severe inmates with severe mental health issues, far more with greater challenges. My point is, I can understand the concerns of these types of offenders reading materials on suicide, homicide , drug use, etc. I truly do understand, yet, I do not believe my reading materials should be scrutinized due to other inmates behaviors or challenges. Another factor which is undeniable, is the belief of not providing materials to advance legal knowledge or gain insight into information which can be used against the "system". This happens a great deal, staff whether given directives or not do so on their own, intentionally misplace, deny reading materials which are directed at enforcing constitutional rights, lawsuits, etc. Coincidence?

I try to look at all factors an institution has to consider and address when making decisions on any subject. I am not foolish to believe the inmate population has been rehabilitated and no longer a threat to themselves or others. There must be a balance, which addresses the issue of true censorship from necessary denial of reading materials, for the safety of themselves and others.

Another such example of censorship is we had a librarian who removed all the urban, LGBTQ+ etc books which went against her faith, under the guise of the books needed repair therefore were disposed. It was painfully clear her motives and in fact she referenced her faith in determining what donated books were to be allowed. Ultimately, there exists a policy (still to this day) allowed for such discretion.

Again, it would take 500.00 to file an action which is not refundable even if an inmate won. (Writ of Certiorari) . A 1983, is a long and complete process most inmates cannot afford to litigate, exceeding much more than 500.00 in filing, copy, mailing, discovery production etc fees. Been there done that as well. And if you win, you win the book title only, allowing for the same type of denials to continue just on different titles.

I hope this helps in addressing your questions. Please understand, I do believe in being free from censorship and that censorship is active within our prisons. I try to balance the need to censor or review materials to that of violating ones constitutional rights. My experiences in prison force me to acknowledge the effects of various influences on ones behavior, and have seen first hand ideas, concepts learned from reading materials having been "weaponized" to do harm to themselves and others, this is a reality within prison.

I equate this issue with gun control. A person has a right to own a gun, yet society denies felons, those with mental health issues to possess or own a firearm. Does the prison system have the right to limit reading materials which can and may in fact have had a negative, and perhaps dangerous effect on their safety? There must be a balance. Please feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts on these comments.

I wish to thank you and your team in proving this material. Your assistance in providing both this material and reading material is incredibly important during these times of staff shortages and cut backs to the general and law libraries. With great respect,

Mueller 349673"
WI Stanley Correctional

"Right now Warden Hepp and Security Director Pusich are using a lockdown to try to bully certain portions of the population into obeying minor rules. They are calling it "modified movement" but the reality is the only time we aren't locked in is for 1 shower a week and 1 rec period a week. The only people making progress in their cases are those who can afford lawyers that force WCI to allow the images to have attorney calls. There is zero access to the law library still, despite multiple inmates informing the Warden and Security Director they have a constitutional obligation to allow us access even when there is a "security threat". The only way to access books right now is through the property department, meaning that for the most part only people with money can regularly access reading material. The Trinity program was moved to another facility since the warden has no time table for when he'll lift the lockdown, and several Lt. and Cpt. have stated it's being discussed it will last all summer."
WIDOC Waupun

"Yes, the living conditions are horrible, the showers are infested with these little black worms, our mattresses are thin so we used cardboard boxes to make the mattresses a little stuffed so we don't wake up with a sore back. Oh also if one person fights an officer, the entire unit is fed PB and Jelly for a week for breakfast lunch and dinner. A punishment not to mess with them even though it was one person, we all pay. There's a lot more"
MCC Chicago

"The censorship is off the chain here at PCF. The mailroom has done just about anything they can to harm me and retaliate against me. Our emails are also monitored and being censored by the mail room who forward them to Internal Investigations and they can censor them. What are you going to do when the Warden condones the mailroom Chambers behavior and actions? Just keep fighting them to stop the abuse."
Indiana Pendleton

"Expounding on question 3: once materials reach the facility, no extra measures should be taken allowing prisoners their right to publications as long as no direct threat or harm is expressed to any group or individual, access to the material should not be hindered. There is an unlimited wealth of knowledge is our written form and any person with appropriate interest should be given access."
Indiana, Westville

"There are a few inmates do use it to further criminal mind, some just to pass time, and some who use books for educational incentives just to be released early. While in whole I think no inmate should be censored from any books, but books should be selective per inmate because of conviction."
FCI Butner

"They do whatever they want to here. They take anything they feel like. They stole my Dream Journal with no explanation and never returned it. They also never give us the required confiscation forms."
USP Marion

"This is war now. The prison took away our inter-library loans a while back. This affects the whole community as they used to order books from our library, citizens tax dollars to pay for this, so where does the money go now? Mail yous end here is perused by prisoners in Maryland who copy it and provide electronic files to law enforcement. Nobody on the outs ever authorized these people to open their mail. This is a federal crime each time."
WI/JCI

"Once behind these walls, Uncle Sam and his tax paid dogs have complete control, COMPLETE. So when it comes to any type of grievance, at the end of the day, it's ultimately gonna be what they want and if they do violate a policy, they will often just lie and throw us in isolation."
FCI Petersburg

"We would like people to sent Cease and Desist letters to the administrators when they censor outside. Our rage us much more value then all of us using administrative remedies."
WIDOC

"Feel free to use my full name and info, also what happened to the request I made 3 months ago?"
NCCF