Tracking Prison Censorship in the United States

Director of Rehabilitative Programs and Services
North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Prisons
MSC 4221
Raleigh, NC 27699-4221

1 May 2017

RE: censorship of Under Lock & Key No. 55

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is in response to a Letter to Publisher from Doug Pardue, notifying MIM Distributors of the disapproval of Under Lock & Key No. 55, March/April 2017. The reason given for the censorship was that “”Regarding Daily Body Searches” promotes insurrection” on page 13.

The next time Mr. Pardue is downtown, perhaps he can visit the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial garden and read the inscription on the statue there. It seems contradictory that the same state that praises “massive disobedience” as serving the interests of “liberty and justice for all”, finds protest in the form of prisoners remaining in their cells to somehow be a threat to institutional security (the criteria legally required for censorship of mail sent to prisoners).

I hope that upon review of this decision that you will agree that this decision contradicts the values (and laws) of this country and that the newsletter in question will be delivered to the subscribers held by NCDPS.

Thank you for your time and attention in this matter,

Director of Rehabilitative Programs and Services
North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Prisons
MSC 4221
Raleigh, NC 27699-4221

12 March 2017

RE: censorship of Under Lock & Key No. 54

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is in response to a Letter to Publisher from Doug Pardue, notifying MIM Distributors of the disapproval of Under Lock & Key No. 54, Jan/Feb 2017. While the original letter is dated 23 February, it was not mailed until 3 March and just arrived here this week. The reason given for the censorship was that the “Last paragraph [on p. 14] advocates for prison violence if necessary.”

The article overall promotes the avoidance of violence. The recognition that pacifism is not appropriate in all situations is certainly something the NCPDS agrees with. NCPDS staff regularly resort to violence “when necessary.” Therefore the mere mention that violence is necessary sometimes should not be a reason to censor the printed words in Under Lock & Key. I am requesting a review of this decision and that you please deliver the newsletter in question to the subscribers held by NCDPS.

Thank you for your time and attention in this matter,