coalition-against-censorship-and-book-banning-3.pdf
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Campaign Against
Prison Censorship
and Book Banning


As you know, hundreds of thousands of books, magazines and other materials are banned in U.S.

Prisons. Simultaneously many prison systems are increasing their grip over correspondence, seeking to

block physical mail altogether and replace it with scans or tablet based messaging, both of which are

tools facilitating surveillance and control. We can tell you from the outside these moves ae similar to

what is going down out here with oppressive legislatures, school districts, and mainstream media
shat can be taug}

n block. We are part of a gro
ordinate a campaign against censorship and book banning in prisons n

Table of Contents

3... The Absurdity and Depravity of Mailroom Censorship

4... The Attack on Black Literature
By Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin and JoNina Abron Ervin

2.6 ... The Lifespan of Anti-iteracy
By Wayland "x" Coleman

P.... Censored
By Panda Insurgente

The Censorship of Political Art
By Steven Levy

Martin Sostre and the Destruction of
Censorship Regulations in the 1960s and 1970s
By Lorenzo Kom’boa Ervin


‘Bach generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray tt, In relative
opacity." —Frana Fanon,


‘The Abeurdity and Depravity of the Rise in Prison Mail Censorship














‘The pandemic exacerbated the cruel conditlons of jl and prison withthe closing of educaronal
Programs and libraries, preventing incarcerated people fom having access wo reading materials atime of
increased lockdowns and solitary confinement. We ae often told by people writing to us that we ae the
aly way tha they can ever receive any reading material Is in this contea that prlson authorities have
‘worked to make the problem more cre! by implementing various new restrictions snd regulations to
‘prevent Itrarae from reaching people. More often than oot, they selectively enforce over broad
{nterpretations of new policies to cover for political and targecnd repression and a genera disdain for
riooer rights and the humanities. Tis prison mall censorship staking place whale right-wing
‘reactionaries are trying to ban books from public schools and bras, signifying cst cxlation
which must be opposed.

eS

‘Some prison stem are outsourcing mall procesing to profteering digtsation contractor ich as
‘Smart Commanications or TetBchind: this prevents people from holding physical copies oftheir mal,
forced to read poor scans or use expensive tables. Others are narrowing the definition of «publisher or
<isesburor to only Amazon or Edward R Hamiltoo, preventing ordinary bookstores or publishers of
| ‘materials ocherwise unavalableclaewhere from reaching people in prison. Many prioos, mach as medium
tnd high security federal institutions, by policy have previously allowed hardcover books if sent direct
from the poblisher, but many are now implementing thelr own institutional supplements which volte
ational policy. Aeros hatin ls epg mg ets

oh

Prison censorship includes the nation's largest book ban, not just afew controversial















or unorthodox books, but hundreds of thousands of classics, Black literature

LGBTQ













yntents, educational books and college textbooks, among many others
are being denied many educational, mind opent





al beliels



exual orientation, or poli
of the authors. We cannot allow the Right-wing politicians,
ther bodies fron



ike parent groups, or
gall
al and





ing as our cens



st just in prison that they are
this, they are doing it all over American society as well. They want idec
political hegemony and conformity. Fighting book bai







fascism. We need to stand up, not back down in the face of unjust authority, or
would be dictators,



ig is a strugale a







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‘FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS:
[NOTICE OF REJECTION OR IMPOUNDMENT OF PUBLICATIONS

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CBORD?

y Wayland “2° Cotenan

Wry would U.S. prisons ~ the self-proctained “champions of rehabilitation” —
bban books and deen Literature to be contraband? In order to make sense of
this question, it 1s inportant for us to take a look at what contemporary
incarceration 1s, so that we can analyze the psychosocial polit icat
foundation that has historically altoved one group of people to remove
Uteracy from another in order to secure physical, economic, and inteltectoat
‘control and dominance. Why is there even a thing such as prohibiting Literacy
An any setting related to the world’s “country of freedon” today, and wnat
‘are the social, political, and economic patterns that have been able to
Ansidiously maneuver through, and escape generations of struggle to abolish
racism, white supremacy, and inequality in Amerikkka?.In order to address the
question of anti-Literacy in its contesporary form, we have to took back at
‘the historical events that shaped the idea of prohibiting Literacy in the
first place, so that we can analyze it in its proper evolutionary context ~

We already know that the sociopolitical and economic strategy of prohibiting
Literacy in Anerikkke was born from the tonb of Anerikkkan chattel slavery. @
writing titledLet’s Hake A Stave Kit, "(year unknown), William Lynch explained to
white slave owners that they could never Let enslaved people

learn how to read. In his teachings to the slave ouners about how to keep
Africans subjugated and in slavery for generations, he explained that if
enslaved people ever learned to read, they would then want to negotiate for
equal treatment, and would want to hove discussions as “humans,” and at that
Point you sould have lost a slave. Where Millie Lynch expressed a concern for
AntelLigent negotiation for equal ity if the oppressed were allowed Literacy,
Fredrick Douglass's story highlights the worries of white Man, that Literacy Could be
used as 9 tool to Literally escape oppression. To Literally gain

‘autonony and freedon. In 1740, several slave states adopted laws (politics) via The
Negro Act, which criminalized the teaching of Blacks to read and

write. The importance of Literacy and ~ in relevance to this particular
dialog ~ the strategy of banning it, has been expressed historically through
the institution of slavery. When we ask ourselves of what purpose(s) the
‘applications of anti-Literacy served, and we view it through ts appropriate
ens, we find anple evidence of a racist intent to build and maintain white SUBTeRacy
‘and superiority, anti-Blackness and Black inferiority. Or sinply Put, white male
control over Black peoples’ bodies. Wiy 1s this history Felevant to incarceration
today?

Wen the soldiers announced in 1865 that plantation slavery ws abolished,
‘they did not announce that alt forms of slavery would be abolished in this
so-eatled land of “freedon.” Through the politics of legislation (law

aking), the institution of slavery was allowed to exist in another form.
Incarceration. The 13*" Anendsent of the U.S. constitutionwhich 1s the
political Language that would ultimately bring plantation slavery to its
knees-both abolished slavery, and - under the sane breath - made an exception
clause for At to survive through the tines and through all of the civil
struggles, so that it would aaintain its existence as part of Anerikkka's

white suprenacist economic culture generations into the future. Since the 138"
‘Anendnent nade the exception that chattel slavery could exist as

punisheent for criminal convictions, the institution of slavery was able to
symbloticatly attach itself to the carceral systen, and preserve its
existence within this country in spite of atl of the civil rights and Black
Uberation novenents. By rerouting slavery’s anti-Black ideals through

prisons, the "inaate” becane thenew, oF contenporary chattel-property, and al of
‘the dehumanization, abuses, social prejudices, attitudes, and stignas that
were attached to the enslaved, became applicable to the incarcerated party.
‘Though incarcerated people are not considered to be Living “in slavery,”
prisons have adopted, and insidiously modified many of the practices,
attitudes, and strategies of the chattel slave institution. For example, the
Subject of this specific writing, anti-Literacy. Although there may be legal
protections against the total prohibition of Literacy in Anerikkka, prisons
‘are permitted to severely restrict Literary pursuits, including a restriction
‘on how auch Literary material an incarcerated person can om and possess at
‘one tine. In Massachusetts, incarcerated people are only permitted to ovn and
possess ten (10) books, magazines, or newspapers (103 CMR. 403.10(2)(b)), of
Which each kind of those reading materials counts towards your restricted
runber of books. For example, if you were to have three newspapers in your
possession, you would only be alloved to possess seven books. If we were to
fnclude a nagazine within these, we would be considered-by the institution ~
‘as “over the Limit.” At that point, our property could be confiscated, and we
could be punished for having eleven books. By breaking the rules that
prohibit our Literary pursuits, the incarcerated person becones subjected to
odified whippings, in the newfangled fors of disciplinary sanctions, e.9-,
oss of privileges such as phone calls to fanily mesbers, canteen purchases,
Visits, yord and gym tine, loss of tablet, or any other privileges that the
institution decides to use as Ats whip at the sonent.









Prison today 4s 2 modernized institution for the preservation and
perpetuation of white patriarchal ideas of control, supremacy, and
profiteering from the oppression of poor, dehunanized hunan bodies, that are
politically targeted to be made inferior to essentially, upper and middle
Class white settler society.

It 4s nportant to recognize that the main purpose of inprisonnent today 4s
1828s hunan warehousing. Beyond the profit notive, it 1s the targeted renoval
‘and disappearing of people who are criminalized by the state that remains its
primary social function. Yet the economic idea of slavery was also based on
‘making maxinun profit by instituting a free-labor workforce. Today, the only
‘ow on the books that permits slavery to exist in any form is the 13°
Anendeent. Because the 13°” Anendnent failed to abolish slavery in 2 prison
setting, prisons over the years have been able to take on a corporate role,
and saxinize profits by instituting a free-labor workforce through
incarcerated workers. Though, sost incarcerated workers earn $1 per day for
their servitude, this one dotlar payment 1s simply a slave's wage, and pales
{n comparison to the mininun wage of $15 dollars per hour in Massachusetts ~
‘tor example. Contesporary corporations Like Keefe Commissary Network,
Securus, Corelinks, Welpath, etc., have becone billionaires off of the
nodernized oppression of husan beings.



Prison and slavery have a symbiotic relationship that have alloved the
institution of slavery to survive through decades of civil struggle, and
nich permits ~ via insidious political activity end social ignorance ~ many
strategies and activities related to slave breaking and slave making to exist
in a conteaporary setting. Because the language of slavery still exist on the
books today, prisons have been able to benefit from a free-labor workforce,
‘and corporations have been able to exploit billions of dollars from the
conteaporarily oppressed. The history of anti-Literacy has shown us that
anti-Literacy was @ controlling strategy, that was purposed to prevent the
gaining of Liberties by the oppressed. Anti-Literacy 1s necessary for prisons
‘to function today, because through Literacy, the contenporarily oppressed and
caged will gain knowledge and education about the ways that we are being
fnanipvlated for the benefit of the wealthy and the white, and incarcerated
people may Learn how to make the connections between slave resistance
practices and sodern practices as I have done here. If incarcerated people
gain 2 real understanding of how the systes works, and of the many ways in
which we are banboozled, people would be encouraged to protest these vile
conditions and strategies via intelligent negotiation for equal treatment ~
‘as Willie Lynch coutioned egeinst - for things Like, perhaps ainiaun wage.



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Be POLICE |
AS STATE

SURVEY

Censorship and Book Banning in US. Prisons
Fas il is ou. sar wth ther

Additional survey forms cam be enti, See below.

‘As you know, hundreds of thousands of books, magazines and other materials ae banned in US.
prisons. Simuitaneously many prison systems are increasing their rip over correspondence, seeking to
block physical mal atogether and replace it with scans or tablet based messaging, both of which are
tools facilitating sureilance and control. We can tell you from the outside these moves are similar to
‘what i going down out herewith oppressive legislatures, school districts, and mainstream media
throtting what canbe taught, read, and discussed.

[Atthe moment, efforts to push back against censorship and book banning in prisons are disconnected
and uncoordinated, from one author somewhere suing to get their book in, to someone locked up over
their fling @ grievance against a mairoom block. We are part ofa growing coalition seeking to band
together and coordinate a campeign against censorship and book banning in prisons nationwide, You
all inside ar already a crucial part of this work and through this survey we hope to bring even more of
your knowledge and involvement ito this campaign

‘A few words on this survey, privacy, and agreements:

Your survey responses ar primarily or ourintemal education and campaign guidance. We pledge to
not share these survey resus publicly or share your identity or location without your express consent
Even though ths sures primarily for intemal use, your responses, experience, and ideas can be
powerful toos fr mobilizing and educating others

‘Authorizations

= Canwe quote your esponsesin publ educational mateals™*|Yes| [No]

= Doyou wantto recive future corespondence and nwsetrs fom this campaign? [Yes] [No]

Name: StateFaciy
lorintemal use onl]

=> Doyou want addtional copies of this survey to share with others? Yes] [No]

additional people around you want to respond but dn'thave tis form, writing auton plain paper
and ansuerng sus fine too.

By default e wll anenymiae these quote using jut nals or pen names and only use general regional
locations so as to not get you put on bls. you want your name used in fll please lt us know.
‘SURVEY

‘There are no wrong answers. One word answers are cool. Whole essays on a question are cool. We will
read and value every word. We have red to include as much open space on these sheets as possible to
‘ocommodate everything you have to say Fe re to include and use aditonal pages for answers if
you need more space

1. Have you ever had books or other materials blocked or confiscated? Yes] | No| fs, whch ones? Why? Tellus
about it

2. Have youeverbeon pushed forreacng mate hat assent to you? [Yes] [No] yes, what were the
materials and what waste puishment?

3. Should he prisons have the power to control what you can and cannot ead or 68? Yes] [No] Hes OR no,
wy?

4, Ave yuna fait that cas incorrng mail? Does the maitoom copy or scan newsletters and other printed
reading mateals? Does the facility's caning policy affect your bility o read books and literature?

5. Inyour present fcity orany previous ones, dd you receive a clear explanation ofthe faces censorship

policy? Yes /( No} yes, ist applied consistently or fay Kno, what sit they tll you when something gets
blocked?
6 Have you everfledaaievace agaist your mateals being blocked by the malroom or getting confiscated?
‘Were you sucessful? What waste explanation forblocking the materia?

7. Why do you thnk przonscansor what materials you can get? Whats thei game?

€. Is reading important to you? [Yes] /( No] if yes, How so? Asa way to passtime? As seimprovement?
Education? Do you read dail?

9. What do ou ke to read? What books or magazines aren your locker or on your sel ight now? How do you
getbooks—fom family? fends? bookso-pisone projects, et?

10. Are ther things you want to read right now that ar blocked? | Yes]! | No] so, what thay and why do
you want hem?

‘1, Are you able to organize an authorized book cub orreading group in your preset facity? [Yes/No]
12. Have you ever patcipated in a book cub or group? [Yes] [No]

13, Have you ever been prohibited fom informally discussing books asa group? [Yes] / No]
"4, Do you have acess toa law library? Yes]/[ No] Is, are passes or ducats to the library readily avalable or
‘tough to get? Do you receive the materials you need? Are there any restrictions that you face, or bares to
acoesing materials?

15, How do you fee about the quality of the bocke made avalble in your fact’ law lbray? Do you have access
te pining ora copy machine? Is there a compute’? What do you wish you had acces to or avaiable in a aw
Norcy?

16, Hasaces tothe aw ibrar at your present city changed floning the pandemic? |Yes]/INo
yes how 0?

17, Does the fait allow you to bring books and other erature to the yard? Are you allowed to share books or
erature?

18, Do you use a tablet? [Yes/No so, how do you fel about the options for reading material avaiable ont?
‘What companies provide ences oni? What services do they offer?

19, Has your outgoing mall ever been censored? Yes] /[ No]

20. Ifyou area writer or ats, have restrictions on outgoing mal ever made it cfc to publish ose publsh
your writing or retive wore? [Yes [No]

21, Las, ie there anything you think we onthe outside othe general public need to know about censorship,
reading, books, education, or your fe nsde? Feel re to write at much as you want. We will ead and value
every word

Retum to
‘Midwest Books to Prisoners

1321 N Milwaukee Ave PMB 460
Chicago, IL 60622
Indigenous

‘story about the first book that was ever banned for

“The Book of 5 Rings” an ancient Japanese self-help book wren by 2 sam-
the baming
1s & Klis our loved ones. Before Friday's

because the Prison Book “Review Committee” sald R taught me how to
which, of course, was a He. | remember 2 lot of things about that moment.
x | was 18. | remeber who | was in love wth But | also remanr heking
“How were they allowed to ban boota? To ban words” It was just knowledge. -
hide knowledge? | learned that there was a “let” of
‘Sringed binder. | spent hours then days in
‘now DDK If TL ever make B up out of here.

ins Te hcheyluchas & Gaseanne Bay suns & ene wee Gent Te

Water Defendre & Land Protectorz & so many more that! have no more room on this

rt In He
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‘wite because fim stl on strip status w/ no property writing on scrapz of paper. All conspia-

‘F Kiled for one. The censorship of books Is

Hine



The Censorship ef
Political Art

By Steven Levy

‘Aer 7 yours hare at Mule Crk Sato
‘roan, Iwas erie the ight to sand out
‘two through the malvoom as 1 ass
‘mal. Thn to and behold two weak later
‘my mal requested tom my puaerat
‘True Lagp Press got banned forthe
contnt of te conta A few ransom
hotocopled pages of book now
‘cone a "ten" wih a harsh CDR
‘waming attached

‘Photocopies rom a private party — not
‘showed Tie 15, section 3134.1)














































Prlooner Read an ot Pbon Lega! News
{End you wl nd mary lew ovr iby
reoners and lawyers on the streets,



‘hare i a new pattem of censorship
sweeping toes Nnerea uncer the
‘bic noe. n state He Fora, Tena,
ed many more ne erciogin
Denier ncry dea wth hee
Infinite wisdom to outsource paces
imal prhate contact vendors. ese
‘Sates mall now is) ert to a vendor to
‘an your mak 2) post tonto rs
‘lec tablet then 3) ty of you to pent
Your letters, ear, or photos for aoe
‘hen mal hom to you 4) they destroy a
‘mall once thas boon scared. No more
‘amendment



‘Ths was one of heft tes | ae

ink thie stoma striping of prisoners
cf tel ‘amendment rights wore
Decne:

1) poor prison precner carat aor
to buy te mall ecard Int Or
‘aolene

2) mary tablet computers in plsoners
‘ossesson have been hchea/esul get
‘cked: Note COCR Global tet
Calforiapraoners tabi were a
hack in 2022 (have copy ofthe
eee)

13) Pion tablets have bean stolen and
‘tare with other priscners and ter
Dorsal irfrraion photos cars are
‘exposed to ny ral pracner inthe
housing unto on the yr

4) Wy sould ata member pay for
‘he mal tobe sent and the prsonars
Trew a eocond lms to get? 5) tablets
(a foes Bir memory and ary tae
‘an be compted by a rus or wom.
‘am oly touching the tp o avery big
leaberg. ence there are milons of =|
‘anencimert teri (rad Prison Lapa!
‘Mewa we the proper sliarty,
letters

Wit soon be na SHU on sotary
confinement? Is sd ty" ight”
‘because | calenge the ere and all
ower madroom ta

NEVER,
NEVER
EVER

Finding mean
(4s an inmate |



New 1 amendment ae, nob00y tas



\Censoraip sony going to get wore In
‘Deause mairoom sa manipulate



xc Aaa!

SAND BOOK BANNING

Sa rans of erebvtion


Martin Sostre and the Destruction of | ‘= ='s ins

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7 Censorshij lations i P-pial Olay
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“This ance contined palicaledcation forthe bldg of ew mvc
unt pcm and pobtica cenmoahip inthis period Although the psc
‘Rouen anowie wc condos ate ot the sme thy wer nthe 960%,
(eb the Prioers Rights Movement was founded logade the cl nights ad
Fadil pote movement ofthat ane we ae sl ocd to fight what now
{ial censorbip ued a the et cols and psoas bythe same athiies
dinar

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‘A important active poet tm what tame the Psoer® Righs Movement
takin the diy, wat Marcin Sour, lo Latin pllalpsac, who had been
(ame forthe Hck reblion in Bula, New Yorke open ad peating the
‘Ar Asian ocean the Back community in 1967 Many Black youth cage
Senet, and white rd actvt met frequently at che bookstore bere td
‘cng th rebel. In rch, thereblion was an atop protest bought on by

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[prccutdy the wate forthe pial ies andganzaon

Tine atin Sst in 169 when be nd were both contd a the Federal Howse
‘of Deen in New York Cy. a jut Ben og back othe our re
Ea Germany. ean fer had hice ae Ca er

UNN\reeniinnt
wf)
NYG)

Thad ick commerciale ot pmpoie in Alans, Georg, using ram
racht “Souter oe” ad the FL wae on ther oe most ht Year In
clang lane sd fring told Ca ace eve egal angers This was
{time when ipeking plane meat that you ced the death penalty oe i prise
‘icout pons parle When areted by US ethos, they knew Twas
“lack tan” aod communi, wo there would be no knency, pecially fo ah
‘Mls ory athe South na rac lane called Newnan, Gerpa

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‘Marin awaye ld me he rath bat what could apes to me tha it would Be
eal and that he id ot kn how would come at. Yet, he aways tod mew

ad never gv up, o mtr what ced down South He ew 2
“el ncn Georgi cul nd ny Me be at het want eto suede
\ ‘Gubeg thee rac for ery Hele woud getany mere from those ste
sayy





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hy

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We dune fond what the cipal and pon pte in Americ wee
Aout New Yrk tate prone Sone had alee mesure, He ad acd
‘muy lng year fp and mental tru bh ins spon sentence. 8
Wells hee” and rigs rare up cane at i Hack aera lal,
NY. Yee yeas of rac, stay connement, and an eavroment of fc
egrdion snd intimation dl ot beak Him, mae i sangre more
‘drermied ni esac,

Vi

‘a adie w 0-year al “ih who a acer ven been opison belore, was

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‘SO a nana aplication oa psn jens. Tis woul ge tet ©
all prion censcship srg ands melo judg very to ee sda





seed vo Goria tld mein nae dal bow cgi
out the Hank wt nd




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i

Then, work with ter eral nd tae esac le lw over the
county The smalancous pes these wera “burs open the dor
sf both state and fede pons eerywce. In no tne seme. pions that

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programs and many oer bac igs or psc cven yeaa
{tdcomeratie pon at Tee Hau, nda er pron

\y



I

‘Seg tha, many ld schol epee pon guard an wardens Began 6 ale
the bs and complained abo the aged dling” poner Ths happened

br epee the Acca New York wate etn reblion
hugh the Ati rblion om the es lve 40 poner and
fpr nd the wre o nde moe, we ted edad mans of



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rear ie sae agutt fer epeatons Prisoners a ACC Wee

Icy doghtere veo kon

‘haus a i eacn, veri, semed, millions of people would now



1 the ad there wat Boda, which war supped w ence # malo af
woe the Black por plical ada, an-war cate cl igh preter,





over the aion utan ton cage campuses crc baron and?
any othr places o expe cutage ati fi nat. The ry of“
Ate, Adc” was veryhere Everyone Knew what i meant Tene hos
re lsh wave in penne ll verte USA andthe worl Forte,

onthe ote vlneced opposer ane begun to spel out
gant racism an pon guard brat. Law seen andthe pees ed
Lewis ower pr conde, pstes and dv leaders eal! abou pon
sfolon ante an of rac fom he pl Hick comm and lights
‘Sctvis Bega o denounce acim andthe oppretion lack pope n psa by
tert socery and goverment. I seed everyone wes expreing the
verge verte Nody spendin of Arica





Me inporant dat & new poe able movement wa cated Thin
loclnde Anahi: with «adie aban ance, elt oan et,
the New Ll raha tendecien, edna cl ight group, radial emda
tendencies and Quer bration, andthe Black Pathe Paty on the Back Lt. Thi
new piece suport movement wat an active cl ght» movement, which
supported the actual rises Psecs Rights movement. aed wither sped
ymin Back dee movement ie Black Power, ter rps ke the New
Uh Vemmnieonmennes edamvabesderpend,


{In his successful fight against censorship and the banning of Black and radical yyy gy —
cera, Sostre opened the dor fr al! hist happen. The Kea that one an | i) ) =

resist prison abuse. Books and the fre thinking brought by them opened our eyes Al
happened without the courageous example of Marin Soot. He i an example of vi y ‘4
1 inovement not unlike the major civil rights and radical protest movements of

period, surfaced and fought for and won human rights forthe hundreds of thousands Ig
[fprisoners in the American peisonsystih Of course, Rowald Reagan and Right Za



R






(

ressance and radical bel.



























Shing conservatives tok over the goverment, bd they reversed mow ofthe gains -
and muted the voices of prisoner organizers which had arisen in that carlct period. gSPO .
Thy ily ve now dearye ins sny ait of roo ln to contest SE

oles fom te ode Ths why prsones ant KS

pp abolinists mst start anew. We must bull! a movement berween poner ad

Drenalin Z

This is why T belive enday har we Gan win ape the reimposed nso
3S iui Sip ssugh vehwe done idoesedeaadoieagn _ 4
yo MAILROOM GUARDS FAKE
<4 OVERDOSES to JUSTIFY CENSORSHIP
—. ‘scandalous epidemic in prison mailrooms is sweeping

the nation: guards are hospitalizing themselves claim-
ing accidental drug overdoses due to handling alleged
contraband in the mail, then going to the politicians and
the media demanding new restrictions or privatized mail
digitization services. USP Thomson did this three times
in 2022, a CCAin Clifton TN in Dec 22 and again in Dec
2022 at the Bronx jail barge where a cop's “hands went
numb despite wearing several layers of gloves” while in
the very next sentence the CO's union is issuing de-
mands to “cease distributing all physical mail’. All of these
incidents are physically impossible and the potential
incidental exposure has been thoroughly debunked by
‘amongst others the American College of Medical Toxicol-
ogy (ACMT) and American Academy of Clinical Toxicol-
‘ogy (ACT). This all-too-familiar “war on drugs" disin-
formation has been the basis for this era of draconion
restrictions, such as ‘spots or stains’, “no colored pens or
highlighters’, “no greeting cards", ‘authorized publishers
only", and finally “tablets only’
This must be stopped


MMipwésT BOOKS
To PRISONERS

Legal Materials

‘will scod you legal matesials upon REQUEST BY CHAPTER and/oc TOPIC. (We are

notable to prove lel advice or representation)

Colm jllhouse Lawyers Manual.
(Ch: Howto Use he JIM

(Ch 2 Inerodacton to Lega Research

(Ch Your Right to Lear the Law & Go t Court
(Ch How to Rad « Lawper

‘Ch 5: Choosing « Court and « Lawsalt

(Ch An introduction to Leg! Documents
(C7; Freedom of lnformation

(Ch 8: Obealning lnformation to Prepare Your
(Case: The Process of Discovery

(Ch 9: Appealing Your Conviction or Sentence
(Ch 10: Applying for Re Sennancing for Drug
fines

(Ch 11 Using Fos: Conviction DNA testing wo
‘Autack Your Coavictoa or Sentence

(Ch 12: Appel Your Convicton Based on
Ineictive Asistance of Counsel

(Ch 15: Federal Habeas Corpus

(Ch 14: The Prison Ligation Reform Act

(Ch 15: Inmate Gionnce Procadres

(Ch 26 Using 42 USC. § 1983 to Obeain Relief
‘on Viaions of Feder

(Ch 37: The State's Dury wo Protec You snd Your
Proper: Text Actions

(Ch 18: Your Rights Ar Prboa Disciplinary
Proceeding

(Ch 15: Your Right to Communicate with the
Ounide Word

(Ch 20: Using Article 440 if the New York Criminal
Procedure Law to Arack Your Unfss Coovicion

(Chi2é Your Right wo be Fre from Ass by
Prisoa Guards and Other Incarcerated People
(Ch: Yoor Right wo be Free fom egal Body
Seach

(Ch 26. Infoxous Diseases AIDS, Hepat,
‘Tubercolois and MRSA in Prion

(Ch77 Raigious Freedom ia Prison

(Ch 28 Rights of incarcerated Poop with
Disables

(Ch 29: Special ames for Incarorated People wih
Mecca Hines

(Ch 30: Speci Information for Lesbian, Gay,
‘Bisel, Transgender, endfor Quer Increased
People

(Ch 31 Serurey Clasifcation snd Gang Validation
(Cha: Pace

(Ch 3% Rights ofTncarcerted Parents

(Ch 34 The Rights of Prenal Dealnees

(Ch 35: Gentng Out Ety Conditional and Exly
Rela

(Ch 36 Special Considerations for Sex Ofnders
(Ch37: Right Upon Release

(Ch 38: Right of Youth in Prison

(Ch 39 Temporary Release Programs

(Ch 40: Plea Barong

(Ch Special amet of acarcerated Women
Section DK Appendins
Appendix: Addreses of Federal Cours & New
‘York Sate Prisons and Their Respective Federal
Judit Discs,

‘or egal Sensence Appendix IL: New York State: Fling Instructions 8
(Ch 21: State Habeas Corpus: Flocida, New York, Addresses of New York Stave Courts
snd Michipn ‘AppendicI: Adress of Now Yok Dict
(Ch22:How wo Challenge Adminiatre ‘Azone
Decisioas Using Article 78 ofthe New York Civil Appendix IV: Directory of Legal and Socal Services”
Price Lewand Roles for Incaered People het
(Ch 25 Your Right to Adequate Medical Care 4 Fee
__ UBepe Parsepers !
Midwest Books to Prisoners (5-5 seusctious

1321N. Milwaukee Ave PMB #4600 pee ceavest)
‘Chicago, I. 60622
a
1\NOT ONLY DO WE }
| DESIRE TO CHANGE OUR!
\LIVES IMMEDIATELY,

~~ ~~ av arava ant HF

IT IS THE CRITERION BY)
\WHICH WE ARE SEEKING)
,OUR ACCOMPLICEsS. )

oc ee eeeenene
e

»°

* CENSORSHIP {s
f \ A dy "e
e



South Chicago ABC ’e

Zine Distro Dl
P.O. Box 721
lomewood, IL 60430



<q
2. ».%, ~~~ ~ ww wo |


ire

RLXIN
Free Speech Prine for Prison latoom Employees - The Frstzmenahen fhe US Docebudon praia fee spect. Regu
‘ions tat pri he goverment or is employees to scriinae on the bai othe cntent te message cant aerated under
the Fst Amendment Reagan Time Ine, 467 US 641, 64840, 104 SCI 3262 (1964) "The fact at sooty may find speech oe

‘Sve isnot sufcient reason for supressing it. ndeed its he opinion tat gives offense, ha consequence is reason or
Scrringtcontutaal potcon Huh apace v Ela 5 US V5.4, 8 S682 The overeat

Prohiilhe excression ofan idea simoly because society fds tho idea sol oflensve or dsagreeablo, US. v Behan 496 US 310,
519,110 SCt 240 (1990), AJpove al ese, he Fest Amendment means tal govermethas no powe forest expression because
‘fs message, siden, ts sujet mater os content: Police Dept of Chicago Nose, 408 US92 95,02 SCt 2086 2200 1972)
ether or ol you agree rte prison agrees wih apartcuar vw - whether eigios, soci, or polical- am enited io voice hose
‘ens and pubish them witout goverment terrence. Ifyou discriminate against my vews, your actons are ungwfl. Further,
prisoners reli ee speech nghis. Thought contol by mean of probing beets, woud not ony be undesrabe but impossible,
‘longs Nah Carolin Prisoners Labor Union 433 US 118, 7 SCI2582 (1877). Fact of coninement and needs of penal nit
tin mposeratoaliviabons on psoer ree speech ighis, Pally Procure, 417 US 817,822, 94 SC12800, 2804 (1974), but hase
reaticions rust have avail, atonal conection to legate penlogcalneess” nat related to the content or ideas, Tuner v
Safle, 482 US 78,107 SCt 2045 (1987) Requlatons and practices of witholdng prinod mates to prisoners can ony be usted
hea the practice Yuthers an portant or subsiantial governors! vnelaod tthe suppression of expression” Tum, supra.
"Ths means you cannot egal suppress the expression of dea Ike Anarchism. The govertment’s interest n excung mates
‘must be a legate anneal one poled ina neal fasion, without regara to the eonent of expression, Pel Proguner, 417
(05.28, 94 Sct 2607, Bal Wilisn 441 US 551,99 Sct 1850 Pasoners ela hse ighs tha re rotnconssten wt legate
penological objectives ofthe corectons system, Pel, supra, Prisoner walls donot ser oform a barr separating prisoner Fem
{heprtecions ofthe constitute’, Tuner supra’ Cos poltca speech is ost zealously uardd and heels able meres "nha
ing fee and unhindered debate or matters of pubic importance he core vale ofthe Free Speech Clause af he Fist Amendment
lkeringv Baad of Eduction, 391 US 563, 873,88 SCt 1731 (1968). Thus, exclusion of printed materia on the basis fs pli
Betspectve, such as anareism, amounts fo re speech retaliation and dschinaton, whch i llega, Abusamalv Brice, 154 Fd
28 dCi, 1998), Xo. Bate, 175 Fad 378 6h Cr, 1998)
you excepted mater for an unlavul basis, sich s expression of anarcist bls, of you sil conjure up alse pretext
lof t's excison, you have broken the law The prsane recipient of hs mal has cause fr bringing 2 ev igs acon agaist You
‘and has cause far gain puntve damages ~ which means mney Ifoo have cause for a federal acon aganst you, a You wl
ag my contol garriees wo, You a vee ho eas hs acto. your siperaao We rete
prison stom, may be nared in hose Gul actos, and you may also be subj otermnaton Fem your ployment. Because this
primers indued In his malig, you wil ot beable o dam you dot know your actions were legal. For hese reasons, | ask
{hat you conform ta federal lw and ean om unlawful ésrminaton against he enclosed mais, pening mal sence of is
erature that objectively meets al legitmate clea set for in prsonreguatons,




tee
fartin Sostre and the Destruction of |=" sets es
Censorship Regulations in GANZ AN
% the 1960's and 1970's. Ys \
= “This article scone tucatiom for the build ane L
2 Ay) a see "
f= 4, SSS yt
{} OS te psec ment tt ane we a el ced fh wa tn f
Wl = SSeS
—— = foe =

‘A prac aii proc, wat bce the ene Rigs Movement

)
th

*
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‘kth dy, war Ma Soe an Lat pel poet wo ade
‘med rte keen a, ow Yrs opening and persing he
‘Asan oc ath ick cman 9 Many ck oth cep
Shon and whe teases met ort a the sre ee a
‘henge eos trac the eon wasn aap rte bogey
Teeirien canteen at eeoen teemvente iiermalinandie:

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‘Salo pen conc co. meme
ates at now ert vero,
SSinyour at 2 pm ete sreorer’s
‘Seca an 3 ty tm pm
free crc er pc ra e
Sen mat em te ety a
Ima once Rina bon ome No mre
_——

Incarcerated laborers ~ with their Literacy ~ would understand the power of
work stopsapes, which would be financially detrinental to the functioning of
prisons, whieh could act a8 a threat for the shutting down of many prisons













or they provide a neans to freeson
'ich ~ the gaining of freedoa ~ vos 2
ex today becouse, In order to keep

immteaaing profits, free labor 16 secestery. Teerefers, 40 treer to entatala




EBON CF ATL

7 Waytand “X° Coton

Wy would U.S. prisons ~ the setf-proctaines “champions of rehabilitation —
bon books and deen Literature to be cantratand? In order to wake sense of
{this question, 18 As important for us to take @ Look at what contemporary
‘ncarceration 1s, 30 that ve can analyze the psychosocial potiticat
foundation that has historically allowed one group of people to renove
Uteracy fron nother in order to secure physical, economic, ond inteltectuat
control and dominance. Why is there even a thing such as prohibiting Uiteracy
4m any setting related to the world's "country of freedoe” today, and vat
fare the social, political, and economic patterns that have been sbte to
nsidtously meneuver through, and escape generations of struggle to abolish
racism, white suprenicy, and inequality in Aserikkka? In order £0 adsress the
‘question of anti-Literacy in its contemporary form, we have to took back at
‘the historical events that shaped the idea of pronibiting Literacy in the
first place, so that we can analyze it in ts proper evolutionary content




Campaign Against