MIM Notes 193 
September 1, 1999

Under Lock and Key: News from Prisons and Prisoners

California censorship policy strengthens bourgeois influence

I received this from the law library today via inter-loan a copy 
of Executive Directive-02.40, News Media Relations. Here is its 
definitions of "News Media" and "News Publications":

"'News Media' means news publications, accredited news services 
such as the Associated Press, licensed radio and television 
broadcast stations or networks, and government franchised 
community cable television systems that originate scheduled, news 
programming. 'News Media' does not include broadcast programs 
syndicated by independent producers, or television stations or 
networks devoted primarilly to advocacy purposes or to a 
particular point of view.

"'News Publications' means publications that possess a second 
class mailing permit and: (and) are published at least weekly and 
contain at least 25 percent news of general interest, or (2) are 
magazines with a cirulation of at least 25,000 that are published 
at least monthly and contain news and feature articles appealing 
toa broad spectrum of interest."

The ED-02.40 is mainly concerned with interviews made by reporters 
of TV + radio and other news propagators of the establishment. 
Regradless of this, I still found it interesting to note what they 
define as "News Media" and "News Publications."

In Struggle,

-- a California prisoner.

MIM adds:  As previously documented in MIM Legal Notes, policies 
like the above contradict Supreme Court decisions regarding 
prisoners' freedom of speech. MIM and prisoners we work with need 
commitment from outside supporters to fight the imperialists' 
censorship.

Wisconsin prisoners organize against censorship

A revolutionary Clench fist salute. Again, I write from the dismal 
crypts of WCI. Recently two publications from MIM Distributors 
arrived here addressed to me but we interrupted by one of the 
kaptains. The papers were contrabanded. The reasons given for this 
action was that the publications concerns activity which, if 
completed would violate the laws of this state and the U.S., and 
also, the publication teaches and/or advocates behavior which 
violates the law.

I am appealing this through the warden -- the King Cobra -- and 
then I along with several other inmates are filing action in civil 
court on censorship and religious issues whereas this prison has 
intercepted, delayed and rejected incoming and outgoign 
mail/publications dealing with revolution, communism and some 
religion.

We have several brothers researching the issue of censorship and 
persecution. If MIM can assist in this task in any way, it is 
welcomed.

I myself am in the hole at the present time as a result of the 
interception, my cell was searched. Other literature was 
confiscated and used as a basis for conduct report citing "Group 
resistance hand petittions -- possession of contraband"

So here at WCI we will not lay still while these reactionaries 
have their way. And though not many here fully understand 
socialism or communism, most understand the oppressive nature of 
the capitalist leech. And they understand that most actions of the 
proletariat and the lumpen are regarded as 'criminal' is simply 
the result of the grossly disproportion distribution of wealth and 
privilege.

The class conscious at WCI support MIM and all who oppose the 
attributes of this hypocritical establishment.

All Power to the People!

By any means, all Power to the people.

 -- A Wisconsin prisoner

MIM adds:  MIM has been working with USW prisoners to increase the 
publication of MIM Legal Notes to provide more information to 
prisoners about their so-called rights under imperialism. Several 
of the recent submissions have concerned censorship. We encourage 
prisoners and those on the outside with legal experience to help 
continue this practice. Additionally, an ally of MIM created an 
anti-censorship packet that we distribute to prisoners. If you 
experience censorship or know someone who does, write MIM for the 
packet and back issues of MIM Legal Notes.

Pennsylvania prisoner successfully stops censorship

Dear MIM Notes, I am writing you concerning my subscription of MIM 
Notes because I know that I had recently written to you to let you 
know that my MIM subscription was disapproved by the 
administration at that particular time. But, I was given the 
opportunity to appeal that decision in accordance with DC-ADM 804 
- and that decision was reversed. So I am now allowed to receive 
MIM Notes. I would deeply appreciate if you would add me back to 
the list because I think MIM Notes is very informative as well as 
enlightening.

 -- A Pennsylvania prisoner.

United Struggle from Within study material censored

In Michigan, MIM's copies of Mao's Three Essays on Philosophy have 
been rejected categorically under the policy PD 05.03.118 with the 
note that "Books must come directly from the publisher or facility 
approved cendor. Also, the copying of the book pages may violate 
federal copyright laws. 

Another Michigan prisoner wrote: "I intend to file a law suit, 
because my mail was not in violation of P.D. 05.03.118 or OP 
05.03.118. It's a case that can be won if I'm given the needed 
support. It's a fight we have to win to better the interests of 
all prisoners."

MIM adds:  The copyright on these materials has expired and the 
publisher no longer exists. MIM serves the people, in part, by 
providing this important material for political education. The 
Michigan pigs censor because they want to continue to treat 
prisoners as animals. Contact MIM if you have information about 
censorship in Michigan as we are fighting the prisoncrats 
ferociously there.

Censorship prevents prisoners' participation in Congress

An east coast prisoner, Honorary Comrade of MIM wrote: "Upon my 
return, I was informed that the media review committee was in 
possession of a 'packet of material' sent to me from MIM. Of 
course I was denied the right to obtain this material for 
according to the [Media Review Committee] it was in violation of 
the facility's security policies. I assume the material sent was 
in reference to MIM 1999 Congress. Am I correct? If so, I guess 
while in this facility, I will not be allowed to participate 
unless there is an alternative way of sending me the information 
required. I do not receive MIM Notes anymore. We do not get to 
listen to news either. Could you please inform me of the U$'s 
recent invasion?"

Several honorary comrades were prevented from participation in 
MIM's 1999 Congress by prison officials. MIM's Congress discussion 
centers on historical and theoretical issues. No part of the 
Congress advocates or discusses violation of state, federal or 
prison policies. This censorship is an extension of Amerika's 
treatment of prisoners as people without positive contributions to 
make.

Prisoners make progress through continued struggle

A prisoner in El Dorado, KS wrote: These punkass pigs seized both 
newspapers, so I've been struggling to get them. After a long 
battle with grievances, I've finally gotten MIM Notes approved. So 
please keep them coming.

A prisoner in the midwest has gone from having his MIM Notes 
newspaper rejected categorically to being able to receive MIM's 
publications, all MIM Theory journals sent, Revolutionary Suicide 
and Chinese Road to Socialism - after he fought the legal battle 
against censorship in his state.

An Indiana prisoner at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility -- 
quite notorious for censoring material sent by MIM -- wrote: We 
have complained about our books, May newspapers and Bibles and 
Korans [being censored]. And now there is a class action law suit 
about to be filed . There will be three people working on the 
case. We as a whole here at WVCF would like to thank you all for 
sharing the inforation with us. The books have been passed on to 
others to read."

"I'm an inmate at Illinois, Tamms Supermax and I'm all for your 
publication. I myself consider myself a political prisoner and 
this place is no doubt a complete replica of a concentration camp. 
It came to my understanding that several brothers here were 
getting your Notas Rojas denied. And thanks to that brother for 
filing that suit against the IDOC, censorship now can be said is 
going to be less emphasized by this administration here at tamms - 
that's undeniably corrupt to the fullest. To all the brothers, 
greetings and we need to keep strong and MIM Notes is more than a 
stronghold to us. But a true meaning of unity and hope."

Amerikan censorship:

Hand and Hand with national oppression

First of all, a Salute con carino y respeto for all the camaradas 
out there in prison and out on the street from this camarada 
Mexicano. A wish of good spirit and nostalgia for everybody. I 
write to send the word that the heads of this corruption had 
denied me the newspaper to be delivered in my cell, so there is no 
need to send more issues.

The Marrano can kill the communication between the people but 
never the spirit of Revolution . This is nothing new and nothing 
to be surprised about. When I first came to this camp, guards 
wanted to cut my idiom language, my Mixtecatl culture, my Indian 
Mexicatlan roots that I carry with me. But they can't because part 
of this land still is Mexico and will be Mexico forever. Much 
appreciation for your support, I will keep in mind your acts of 
solidarity. Maybe sooner or later, I will be deported to my 
country. I'll try to get in touch from the outside if it is 
possible Some day the true justice will rise. It is bad that I 
can't get the good communication of MIM. Any way, I hope you 
continue to publish more injustices [that are going on] against 
the illegals out there in the border with the so-called war on 
immigrants many people have died in the river, desert, mountains 
and because of police brutality. 

 -- a prisoner in Iowa.

Michigan prisoner wants censored lit

I understand that you publish a newsletter. I believe it is titled 
"MIM Notes." I don't know how often it is published or if there is 
a subscription charge but I do know that it is not wanted in the 
facilities of the MI-DOC. That is, if you publish "MIM Notes" I've 
seen it on the Restricted Publications List for MI's DOC.

I doubt "MIM Notes" fits into any of the rejectable criteria other 
than "Mail advocating or promoting violence, group disruption, 
insurrection or violation of state or federal laws." I'd even 
doubt that you fit that but if you do advocate or promote I think 
it's a violation of one's right to freedom of speech [to restrict 
MIM Notes on this basis] and my right to listen to you use your 
freedom.

--A Michigan prisoner 16 May, 1999.

MIM responds: Thank you for writing. We're glad to know that the 
MDOC's advertising on our behalf is working. You right on target 
when you say that political literature the DOC doesn't want you to 
read must be of great interest to prisoners. MIM Notes is free to 
all prisoners and is published twice a month. Each issue of MIM 
Notes includes this two-page section of news from prisons and 
prisoners, surely one of the features that makes us unpopular with 
prisoncrats throughout the united snakes.

You are correct that MIM does not advocate violence: our explicit 
line is that taking up arms within the imperialist countries at 
this time is a strategic mistake. Mao said that we should not 
fight the imperialists within their base territory until anti-
imperialist struggles have weakened them to the point of being 
"truly helpless."

MIM does seek to lead anti-imperialist prisoners in united front 
organizing work, to build public opinion in favor of the just 
struggles of the oppressed. In censoring our press, the so-called 
Department of Corrections demonstrates its primary function. It 
exists to suppress the creative energies of those comrades who 
would educate themselves, each other and people on the outside 
about the character of this criminal INjustice system.

Another comrade in Michigan defied his captors recently to send 
MIM an updated list of the more than 30 issues of our newspaper 
that appear on the MDOC Restricted Publications list. We call on 
all prisoners whose MIM Notes are being censored to write to MIM 
and find out what you can do to help us organize against this 
censorship. We take up this form of legal struggle because 
communication is essential to organizing. (Prisoners receiving the 
newspaper should get involved ITAL before END you newspapers start 
being censored. The united snakes' censorship can be stopped, but 
more and more prisoncrats impliment illegal censorship daily.)

Fight prison censorship with education and postcards

In Massachusetts, MIM and RAIL have taken up a new front in the 
battle against prison censorship. Many prisoners who request books 
from MIM's Serve the People Free Books for Prisoners Program find 
that the prison does not allow them to receive these books. 
Censorship justification includes 'books donated are used,' books 
are a "threat to the security of the institution," and MIM's books 
are 'not from the publisher' (even our own publications). Often 
books just do not arrive at the prisoner's cell, presumably 
intercepted in the mail room and tossed in the trash. In addition 
to refusing the books to the prisoners, some prisons insist that 
the prisoner give them money to send the books back to us.

One of the key responses to this censorship comes from the 
prisoners themselves: they file grievances protesting the 
censorship as a violation of prison policy and law. Sometimes this 
is enough to win the battle; sometimes they have to take it to 
court. Recent issues of MIM Notes have carried stories of such 
successful court cases.

To support prisoners' work from the outside, in Massachusetts we 
have created postcards to protest censorship of prisoner mail. We 
set up with a table or clipboard and some big signs on the streets 
and ask people to sign the postcards to the prison. The postcards 
read:

--

In Opposition to prisoner censorship!!

I demand that the practice of censoring mail be stopped and 
records of censorship be made public. Personal, political, 
religious and legal materials are censored by prison mail room and 
administrative staff on a regular basis. Denying prisoners access 
to needed mail, especially political material, denies a prisoner 
his/her constitutional right to free speech. I demand that you 
allow prisoners to receive their mail, free of censorship.

This postcard is in support of prisoners at _______________ prison 
in ___ experiencing censorship.

--

Over the month that we have been using this tactic we have sent in 
hundreds of postcards to two prisons:  Green Bay prison in 
Wisconsin and MCI Cedar Junction (Walpole) prison in 
Massachusetts. (For a list of other targets, check out MIM Notes 
#183, page 4 or write us.)

The postcard ends with space for supporters to sign and write a 
comment if they want. People signing postcards have written 
comments including "Education is the last thing that should be 
censored" and "Prisons are oppression."

We use this work to publicize our Free Books for Prisoners program 
and to talk to people about other forms of repression in prisons 
while putting prisons in the context of the imperialist system 
that needs a criminal injustice system as a tool of social 
control. Most people who stop to sign a postcard are happy to fund 
the cost of mailing the postcard and also purchase a copy of MIM 
Notes and the local RAIL publication, MASS RAIL.

If you would like postcards to use in your area, send $1 to MIM at 
P.O. Box 3576, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 and we will send you the 
template along with instructions for photocopying onto cardstock. 
Or you can use the above example to make your own. If you want to 
know which prisons need protest postcards sent to them, write to 
us at the address above or e-mail the MIM Prison Minister at 
<pm@mim.org>.