Tracking Prison Censorship in the United States

CENTRAL OFFICE LEGAL SERVICES
302 W Washington St W 341
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46204

29 November 2022

RE: Ongoing censorship of mail to Pendleton CF

To Whom It May Concern,

We are in receipt of three notices dated and postmarked 11/21/2022 from Pendleton Correctional Facility’s mail room. This letter is to request an appeal to those decisions. And to inquire about my previous appeal submitted 1 September 2022.

All three recent notices were for the rejection of our newsletter, Under Lock & Key issue 79. The reason given is: “DENIED OII PG 12 LOWER RT - STG: AMIERIKKKA"(sic)

There is a pattern of Pendleton labeling MIM Distributors’ literature “STG” for spurious reasons (see my 1 Sept appeal letter). In this case the reason cited is the spelling of “Amerikkka”. This spelling is a political statement about the nature of the nation commonly known as America. Such political speech is protected, and not a valid justification for state-sponsored censorship.

Per Turner vs. Safley, the STG label may be used to censor mail if and only if it poses a clear and present threat to safety and security. Since there is nothing in Under Lock & Key promoting illegal activities or threatening harm to any person or persons, the STG label does not suffice to censor this publication.

Once again, I am requesting that you deliver this issue, and previous mail that I wrote to you about, to their intended recipients as soon as you are able to.

Sincerely,

CENTRAL OFFICE LEGAL SERVICES
302 W Washington St W 341
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46204

29 November 2022

RE: Ongoing censorship of mail to Pendleton CF

To Whom It May Concern,

We are in receipt of three notices dated and postmarked 11/21/2022 from Pendleton Correctional Facility’s mail room. This letter is to request an appeal to those decisions. And to inquire about my previous appeal submitted 1 September 2022.

All three recent notices were for the rejection of our newsletter, Under Lock & Key issue 79. The reason given is: “DENIED OII PG 12 LOWER RT - STG: AMIERIKKKA"(sic)

There is a pattern of Pendleton labeling MIM Distributors’ literature “STG” for spurious reasons (see my 1 Sept appeal letter). In this case the reason cited is the spelling of “Amerikkka”. This spelling is a political statement about the nature of the nation commonly known as America. Such political speech is protected, and not a valid justification for state-sponsored censorship.

Per Turner vs. Safley, the STG label may be used to censor mail if and only if it poses a clear and present threat to safety and security. Since there is nothing in Under Lock & Key promoting illegal activities or threatening harm to any person or persons, the STG label does not suffice to censor this publication.

Once again, I am requesting that you deliver this issue, and previous mail that I wrote to you about, to their intended recipients as soon as you are able to.

Sincerely,

CENTRAL OFFICE LEGAL SERVICES
302 W Washington St W 341
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46204

29 November 2022

RE: Ongoing censorship of mail to Pendleton CF

To Whom It May Concern,

We are in receipt of three notices dated and postmarked 11/21/2022 from Pendleton Correctional Facility’s mail room. This letter is to request an appeal to those decisions. And to inquire about my previous appeal submitted 1 September 2022.

All three recent notices were for the rejection of our newsletter, Under Lock & Key issue 79. The reason given is: “DENIED OII PG 12 LOWER RT - STG: AMIERIKKKA"(sic)

There is a pattern of Pendleton labeling MIM Distributors’ literature “STG” for spurious reasons (see my 1 Sept appeal letter). In this case the reason cited is the spelling of “Amerikkka”. This spelling is a political statement about the nature of the nation commonly known as America. Such political speech is protected, and not a valid justification for state-sponsored censorship.

Per Turner vs. Safley, the STG label may be used to censor mail if and only if it poses a clear and present threat to safety and security. Since there is nothing in Under Lock & Key promoting illegal activities or threatening harm to any person or persons, the STG label does not suffice to censor this publication.

Once again, I am requesting that you deliver this issue, and previous mail that I wrote to you about, to their intended recipients as soon as you are able to.

Sincerely,

DRC made decision on September 29, 2022, remarks: pgs. 12 & 16 information which could cause a disruption.