Tracking Prison Censorship in the United States

To whom it may concern,

On 3-29-2022 I was given a lay-in for "Mailroom/Denial." Upon arrival at mailroom I was notified the two items were being inspected by "MSCP" in Huntsville. The two items in question were a publication, "Under Lock & Key" and another piece of correspondence from "Tx T.E.A.M. O.N.E.". According to Offender Orientation Handbook at page 118 section F. "Content Inspection of Publications", "the MSCP shall render a decision within two weeks of receipt at the MSCP office." My question is: when were these items sent to and received by MSCP Office? When will I receive notification of MSCP decision? Although the information as written in Offender Handbook under "Uniform Offender Correspondence Rules" seems a bit unclear and confusing (for example, first it states there is a "two week" limit, then it states "offenders do not have to be notified when magazines or books are held for review" -- if I'm not required to be notified how can I possibly know when the "two weeks" start or when the "two weeks" limit is reached???) I'm just making this good-faith effort to resolve this issue informally. Thank you for your time and attention. Have a nice day.

Publications are sent by truck mail. No tracking and they are still being reviewed.

"Publication contains material that a reasonable person would construe as written solely for the purpose of communicating information designed to achieve a breakdown of prisons through offender disruption such as strikes, riots or security threat group activity."

"Reason C. Page(s) 16 contains information that could cause disruption."

On 6/23/2022 the above publication was appealed to the Director's Review Committee with the following decision rendered: DENIED; OFFENDER WILL NOT RECEIVE

Good Day,

We just received notice from Mr. XXXXXX that the same thing happened with a pamphlet we mailed him on 26 March 2022. I did not receive any response to my previous email below.

The reason given for refusing our mail is that the church must first approve of any publications we send?

Can you tell me where I can find a copy of your mail rules?

J. O'Rourke

MIM Distributors

Department of Corrections
ATTN: Library Service Administrator
501 S Calhoun St
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2500

1 June 2022

RE: Censorship of 12 Steps Program at Florida State Prison

To Whom It May Concern,

We are in receipt of a Notice of Rejection or Impoundment of Publications dated 5/11/2022, signed and postmarked 5/19/2022, for the publication “A Revolutionary 12 Step Program” mailed to Mr. XXXXXX L. XXXXXX at Florida State Prison. The form cites sections (15)(i) and (15)(p). The list of page numbers is just a list of every chapter from the publication besides the intro and works cited, with no specific examples provided of how this publication is a threat to security.

The publication is helping people work through the reasons they’ve engaged in addictive and illegal activity in the past so as to change their behavior in the future. I have no idea why the mailroom thought this was a threat to security, so I am filing this appeal to deliver this publication to Mr. XXXXXX. I’m sure you will agree there is nothing in this publication that contradicts the FDOC’s rehabilitative objectives..

Sincerely,

To whom it may concern:

On 3-29-22 I was given a "lay in" pass to go to mailroom for "MAIL/DENIAL." When I arrived at mailroom I spoke to a very nice lady who provided a from to sign and advised me that my mail from "Tx Team One" & "Under Lock & Key" were "under review." Please be informed that the Maoist Internationalist is a well-established legitimate organization and Under Lock & Key is a publication that is provided to many prisoners who are caged up in many facilities across the country. I've never experienced any problem whatsoever receiving political education material, including Under Lock & Key, so as you can imagine I'm a bit baffled by this "review" and somewhat alarmed by what seems to be censorship of political speech -- after all, as far as I know we are still covered by the First Amendment.

Even more alarming to me is how neo-Nazi, white supremacist scumbags are allowed to receive material promoting fascism and hate, but a publication like Under Lock & Key, which promotes human rights and social justice and progressive politics is being targeted for censorship.

Please provide a written response to this "attempt at informal resolution" for the record, along with -- if publication is rejected -- a "written notice of disapproval" and "statement of the reason for disapproval within three business days of receipt of the publication or MSCP denial date on Publication Denial Form, along with procedures for appeal." Also, per TDCJ policy, please provide a "sufficiently detailed description" of material to permit "effective use of the appeal procedures."

Thank you, may goodness bless you.

Publications are reviewed by MSCP, Huntsville not at unit level. When we receive an answer you will be notified.

Title of Publication: "Tx. Team One"
REMARKS: "Reason C. Page(s) 4 contains information advocating prison disruption."

Director’s Review Committee
PO Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099

23 May 2022

To the Committee,

This letter is regarding a “Publication Review Notification” received from your office dated 5/12/2022. The title of publication given was “Tx. Team One” and the remarks were, “Reason C. Page(s) 4 contains information advocating prison disruption.”

No information was given as to who the mail in question was sent to, on what date or what facility. We are assuming it is in response to mail sent to XXXXXX XXXXXX, at Stevenson Unit on 18 March 2022. Mr. Vela notified us of the censorship back in March, but this is the first time we have heard from your department about it. Why were we not notified of the original review and given an opportunity to file an appeal ourselves?

The notification from your office provided justification for censorship of the TX Team One Primer sent on that date. However, it was mailed with a copy of Under Lock & Key 76 (Winter 2022). Will that be delivered to Mr. Vela since there has been no justification given for censoring that publication?

I am requesting a response to my 2 question above.

Sincerely,