Tracking Prison Censorship in the United States

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,

Jimmy Smith, Warden
James V. Allred Unit
2101 FM 369 North
Iowa Park, TX 76367

23 May 2022

Warden Jimmy Smith,

This letter is regarding the handling of mail from MIM Distributors to prisoners held at James V. Allred Unit. It seems that mail to and from Allred is not being delivered or being delivered with long delays amounting to months.

Recently we were informed by Mr. XXXXXX G. XXXXXX, that he had not received half a dozen letters coming from MIM Distributors. Neither he, nor MIM Distributors received any notification of mail being denied. The list of letters not received include: 2 letters from February, 1 letter from March, a pamphlet mailed in March, and 1 letter mailed in April.

As you know, it is within our First Amendment rights to communicate and associate with Mr. XXXXXX, and him with us. And if anything sent to him by MIM Distributors is deemed a threat to safety or security then we must be notified of that censorship by law, and given the opportunity to appeal to an independent body. Therefore it is of great concern that our mail to him seems to have been going missing for months without any word from your staff.

I am requesting that the mail listed above be delivered to Mr. XXXXXX immediately. Failure to adhere to federal law, your state’s administrative regulations and your agency’s policies and procedures is evidence of malicious intent to violate our rights.

Sincerely,

USW Organizing Updates 3/8/2022

(e) Publication contains material on the setting up and operation of criminal schemes or how to avoid detection of criminal schemes by lawful authorities charged with the responsibility for detecting such illegal activity.

Reason E. Page(s) Entire publication contains security concerns.

On 5/19/2022 the above publication was appealed to the Director's Review Committee with the following decision rendered: DENIED: Offender Will Not Receive

The reason they cited:

>"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."

Remarks: "Reason C. Pages(s) Entire publication contain security concerns."