MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
in contains material that a resonable person would construe as written solely for the purpose of communicating information designed to achieve the breakdown of prisons through offender disruption such as strikes, riots, or stg activity
I have appealed their decision out of hopes of obtaining the news letter. I believe this prison is needlessly exerting oppression. I'm going to send the Director's Review Committee (DRC) a letter requesting APPROVAL of the issue. If MIM has any advice to offer, please inform me. Thank you.
The item(s) of mail is being RETURNED/held for you for the reason(S) indicated:
Other: reading material (denied by Legal in Atlanta)
09/06/2017
MIM(Prisons) appealed censorship
Show Text
September 6, 2017
Georgia DOC
Office of the Commissioner
300 Patrol Road
Forsyth, GA 31029
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 56
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of a Mail Items Rejection Form for the above referenced issue of under Lock & Key (ULK) which was mailed to XX. The form stated the reason for censorship was “reading material (denied by legal in Atlanta).” This notice fails, on its face, to comport with the Constitutional requirements of notice.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As such, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
Further, if this issue of ULK was censored under a blanket ban for all ULK publications, it is an unconstitutional infringement upon our First Amendment rights. As the publisher, we have a First Amendment right to correspond with prisoners, including through publications such as Under Lock & Key. See Thornburgh v. Abbott, 490 U.S. 401, 407-08 (1989). The publisher also has a due process right to adequate notice of censorship. See Lane v. Lombardi, 2:12-cv-4219 (W.D. Mo. Nov. 15, 2012). As you are aware such a “blanket ban” has been found to violate a publisher’s rights to due process. If this in fact the case, we demand the Georgia Department of Corrections cease such a “blanket ban” immediately. An individualized review of the content of each issue of a publication must be reviewed prior to it being censored. Id.
We further note that GADOC SOP IIB04-0001 provides no means for a sender, publisher or distributor to challenge the rejection or censorship of mail. Courts in the United States have long held a First Amendment right exists to protect the right of correspondence with prisoners. As previously noted a publisher or distributor must be given a meaningful opportunity to challenge any censorship. As GADOC SOP IIB04-0001 fails to provide any such remedy it is unconstitutional on its face and as applied. We demand the Georgia Department of Corrections immediately afford us the exercise of our rights under the Constitution. Any failure to act within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of this letter may result in appropriate legal action being taken against the Georgia Department of Corrections.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 56 be vacated and the issue be delivered to all inmates to whom it was addressed.
contains security threat group information and threat to penological object on overthrowing the government page 3, 11, and 13. a lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities
Washington DOC
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 57
[Names of 9 prisoners]
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of nine (9) Rejection Notices (notice) for the above referenced issue of Under Lock & Key (ULK). The notice states that pages 3, 11, and 13 contain references to plans for activity that violate laws or rules, security threat group information, and overthrowing the government. A review of the pages cited show that no such information is shown. The notice also states, “A lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities.” It is unclear what alleged objectionable content this references and it is clearly not an objective or valid reason to support censorship.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As the general references to pages when such pages contain none of the material cited, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 57 be vacated and delivered to all prisoners to whom it was addressed.
contains security threat group information and threat to penological object on overthrowing the government page 3, 11, and 13. a lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities
Washington DOC
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 57
[Names of 9 prisoners]
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of nine (9) Rejection Notices (notice) for the above referenced issue of Under Lock & Key (ULK). The notice states that pages 3, 11, and 13 contain references to plans for activity that violate laws or rules, security threat group information, and overthrowing the government. A review of the pages cited show that no such information is shown. The notice also states, “A lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities.” It is unclear what alleged objectionable content this references and it is clearly not an objective or valid reason to support censorship.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As the general references to pages when such pages contain none of the material cited, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 57 be vacated and delivered to all prisoners to whom it was addressed.
contains security threat group information and threat to penological object on overthrowing the government page 3, 11, and 13. a lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities
Washington DOC
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 57
[Names of 9 prisoners]
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of nine (9) Rejection Notices (notice) for the above referenced issue of Under Lock & Key (ULK). The notice states that pages 3, 11, and 13 contain references to plans for activity that violate laws or rules, security threat group information, and overthrowing the government. A review of the pages cited show that no such information is shown. The notice also states, “A lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities.” It is unclear what alleged objectionable content this references and it is clearly not an objective or valid reason to support censorship.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As the general references to pages when such pages contain none of the material cited, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 57 be vacated and delivered to all prisoners to whom it was addressed.
contains security threat group information and threat to penological object on overthrowing the government page 3, 11, and 13. a lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities
Washington DOC
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 57
[Names of 9 prisoners]
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of nine (9) Rejection Notices (notice) for the above referenced issue of Under Lock & Key (ULK). The notice states that pages 3, 11, and 13 contain references to plans for activity that violate laws or rules, security threat group information, and overthrowing the government. A review of the pages cited show that no such information is shown. The notice also states, “A lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities.” It is unclear what alleged objectionable content this references and it is clearly not an objective or valid reason to support censorship.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As the general references to pages when such pages contain none of the material cited, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 57 be vacated and delivered to all prisoners to whom it was addressed.
contains security threat group information and threat to penological object on overthrowing the government page 3, 11, and 13. a lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities
Washington DOC
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 57
[Names of 9 prisoners]
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of nine (9) Rejection Notices (notice) for the above referenced issue of Under Lock & Key (ULK). The notice states that pages 3, 11, and 13 contain references to plans for activity that violate laws or rules, security threat group information, and overthrowing the government. A review of the pages cited show that no such information is shown. The notice also states, “A lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities.” It is unclear what alleged objectionable content this references and it is clearly not an objective or valid reason to support censorship.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As the general references to pages when such pages contain none of the material cited, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 57 be vacated and delivered to all prisoners to whom it was addressed.
contains security threat group information and threat to penological object on overthrowing the government page 3, 11, and 13. a lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities
Washington DOC
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 57
[Names of 9 prisoners]
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of nine (9) Rejection Notices (notice) for the above referenced issue of Under Lock & Key (ULK). The notice states that pages 3, 11, and 13 contain references to plans for activity that violate laws or rules, security threat group information, and overthrowing the government. A review of the pages cited show that no such information is shown. The notice also states, “A lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities.” It is unclear what alleged objectionable content this references and it is clearly not an objective or valid reason to support censorship.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As the general references to pages when such pages contain none of the material cited, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 57 be vacated and delivered to all prisoners to whom it was addressed.
contains security threat group information and threat to penological object on overthrowing the government page 3, 11, and 13. a lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities
Washington DOC
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 57
[Names of 9 prisoners]
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of nine (9) Rejection Notices (notice) for the above referenced issue of Under Lock & Key (ULK). The notice states that pages 3, 11, and 13 contain references to plans for activity that violate laws or rules, security threat group information, and overthrowing the government. A review of the pages cited show that no such information is shown. The notice also states, “A lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities.” It is unclear what alleged objectionable content this references and it is clearly not an objective or valid reason to support censorship.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As the general references to pages when such pages contain none of the material cited, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 57 be vacated and delivered to all prisoners to whom it was addressed.
contains security threat group information and threat to penological object on overthrowing the government page 3, 11, and 13. a lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities
Washington DOC
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Re: Appeal of Censorship of Publication
Under Lock & Key Issue 57
[Names of 9 prisoners]
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of nine (9) Rejection Notices (notice) for the above referenced issue of Under Lock & Key (ULK). The notice states that pages 3, 11, and 13 contain references to plans for activity that violate laws or rules, security threat group information, and overthrowing the government. A review of the pages cited show that no such information is shown. The notice also states, “A lot of articles that other offenders from other facilities.” It is unclear what alleged objectionable content this references and it is clearly not an objective or valid reason to support censorship.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As the general references to pages when such pages contain none of the material cited, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
In the alternative, we request the decision to censor issue 57 be vacated and delivered to all prisoners to whom it was addressed.
Georgia DOC
Office of the Commissioner
300 Patrol Road
Forsyth, GA 31029
Re: Censorship of Mail
To Whom It May Concern:
We are in receipt of a returned and unopened letter addressed to XX, at the Smith State Prison. The letter was marked in handwriting with the words “Not Authorized” and “RTS.” No other information was included and no notice of rejection was received as required by GADOC SOP IIB04-0001 H(2). The letter contained an “Unconfirmed Mail Form” which has no objectionable content, however, as the letter was returned unopened the censor had no knowledge of the contents.
Due process requires adequate notice of the reasons for censorship. Instructive is the District Court’s reasoning set forth in Prison Legal News v. Jones, “Procunier demands that the publisher "be given a reasonable opportunity to protest" the censorship. Id. at 418. For an opportunity to be reasonable, the publisher must know of the grounds upon which the publication has been censored. See Henry J. Friendly, "Some Kind of Hearing", 123 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1267, 1280 (1975) (explaining that it is "fundamental" to due process that "notice be given . . . that . . . clearly inform[s] the individual of the proposed action and the grounds for it"). This knowledge component of due process does not turn on whether the publication is the first copy or a subsequent copy. What matters is the basis for censorship. If a subsequent impoundment decision is based on a different reason not previously shared with [the publisher or distributor], due process requires that [the publisher or distributor] be told of this new reason.” 126 F. Supp. 3d 1233, 1258 (N.D. Fla. 2015).
As such, we object to the censorship as failing to provide adequate information upon which to formulate and base any appeal. Please provide additional information which clearly states the objectionable material and reason for censorship within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter.
We also intend this letter to serve as notice of our grievance and request an administrative investigation into the failure of GA DOC employees at Smith State Prison to adhere to GA DOC directives regarding incoming mail and censorship and the blatant violation of our First Amendment rights.
We further note that GADOC SOP IIB04-0001 provides no means for a sender, publisher, or distributor to challenge the rejection or censorship of mail. Courts in the United States have long held a First Amendment right exists to protect the right of correspondence with prisoners. As previously noted a publisher or distributor must be given a meaningful opportunity to challenge any censorship. As GADOC SOP IIB04-0001 fails to provide any such remedy it is unconstitutional on its face and as applied. We demand the Georgia Department of Corrections immediately afford us the opportunity to exercise of our rights under the Constitution. Any failure to act within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of this letter may result in appropriate legal action being taken against the Georgia Department of Corrections.
