Tracking Prison Censorship in the United States

Correspondence... have been reviewed by the Correspondence Review Committee.
It has been determined that you cannot possess this correspondence and or contents.

Contents witheld only? X
Describe contents: Copy of book

Rease .0310 E The mail concerns plans to violate departmental rules and policies necessary to maintain security and control.

Comments: Correspondence violates DOC Policy & Procedure, in that the item(s) were mailed from a source other than a legitimate publisher.

Warden Greg Lewis
Pelican Bay State Prison
5905 Lake Earl Drive
Crescent City, CA 95531

May 23, 2013

RE: Censorship incidents occurred at Pelican Bay State Prison ? exclusion of letter sent to xxx

Dear Warden Lewis,

I am writing this letter about a censorship incident that recently occurred at Pelican Bay State Prison. On April 2, 2014 I (yyy) mailed Mr. xxx a letter which was denied. I received a Stopped Mail Notification stating that this letter "Promoted gang activities" with the additional information "Material contained within the mailing is BGF Gang-related material." In fact, the letter contained material related to the W.L. Nolen Mentorship Program (WLNMP) and is unrelated to the BGF or any prison-designated "gang." The prison's own Notification of Disapproval states that the incoming material was "1 incoming letter & pamphlet (WL. Nolen)" affirming our assertion that this is not BGF material.

It has already been successfully proven that the W.L. Nolen Mentorship Program is part of the Black liberation movement and not a prison gang in the case of XXXXXX L. XXXXXX v. Pelican Bay State Prison, case no: HCPB-04-5054.

The mission statement of the WLNMP is very clear on this point. The W.L. Nolen Mentorship Program is a community-based pen pal service. Participants of the program are encouraged to discuss and write about any personal issue that they may need mentorship with in the following areas: "1) violence prevention and intervention; 2) developing critical thinking skills; 3) cultural tolerance and sensitivity; 4) alternatives to joining gangs; 5) support for single mothas; 6) economic empowerment; 7) how to overcome alcohol and drug addiction; 8) domestic violence conflict resolution; 9) avoiding negative peer pressure; and 10) providing tools to help develop community responsibility and awareness." Clearly you can see how this Mentorship Program is not gang-related.

With the present letter, I request:
- an independent review of the denial of this letter;
- prompt delivery of this letter to its intended recipient;
- notification from Pelican Bay State Prison mailroom staff of any future decisions to deny mail from yyy to my intended recipient, in accordance with the CDCR DOM and Federal law.

I appreciate your assistance in this matter and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

yyy

CC: Affected parties