Tracking Prison Censorship in the United States

T. Walser, Asst. Supt. of Custody and Operations
Polk Correctional Institution
PO Box 2500
Butner, NC 27509

28 May 2009

Asst. Supt. Walser,

We recently received your ?Censorship & Appeal/Waiver Form? regarding the censorship of issue #7 of Under Lock & Key that was mailed to Mr. XXXXXX XXXXXX from MIM Distributors. You first cite D.0310( C ) as the reason. That rule states that the mail concerns sending contraband such as stamps, cash or stickers. The newsletter is mailed to thousands all over the country in the same format and I can assure you that it contained no such contraband.

The disapproval reason page also has text entered in reason D.0310(E). This text claims that ULK 7 could be a threat to safety and security if distributed. I think that upon review, if you read the content of the newsletter you will find that the whole message of ULK 7 is to promote defending human rights via legal avenues while opposing the use of violent or illegal retaliation for abuse within prisons.

It is confusing because the reason states that it ?could be detrimental to the safety and security of the information.?, perhaps this is a typo? If so what exactly is it a threat to the safety and security of? Can you cite the paragraph, article and page that could pose such risk?

The main message of ULK 7 is to promote peaceful means of dealing with conflicts and abuse within prisons, so I find it odd that the department chose to censor this publication for the reason given. If upon review you are not convinced that Mr. XXXXXX should receive ULK 7, please notify us of such decision and your reasoning behind it.


Thank you for your time,