No decision is made in a vacuum. Definitive answers are rare, ambiguities abound and certain restrictions always apply. This is certainly true when a book, article, or publication is being considered for restriction in a correctional facility.
Issues arise from all sides when a publication is banned by a correctional facility or by an entire agency. Decision-makers must consider security, censorship, practical measure, intellectual freedom, safety, and the potential for litigation, among many other issues.
Whether you are a librarian, an officer, a teacher, or an administrator faced with the issue of banning or restricting books, here are a few questions to consider:
- Does your facility or agency have a restricted publications list? If so, what is the process to add a book or publication to that list?
- Does the book pose an immediate threat to the good order of the institution?
- Is there a criteria list for denial such as violence, advocacy or racial/ethnic supremacy, or danger to the security of an institution?
- Is there a centralized office in your agency that affirms or denies requests for inclusion of a publication on the restricted list?
- Do your facility and agency policy directives on mail and prisoner discipline outline the procedure for a notice of intent or any other administrative actions?
- What process of appeal does an offender have to contest a restricted publication decision?
In the end, restricting a book may not be as easy as a simple denial. We must be conscious of the fact that any decision to restrict a book can go beyond the agency level. No matter how seemingly routine a restriction may be, the aftermath may be lengthy and mired in drama. Individuals and outside entities (like the media or the ACLU) may become deeply involved, as seen in the recent news coverage of a Connecticut prison that allows prisoners to read unrestricted materials.
To prevent unwanted attention, consider these tips:
- Always follow policy and procedure related to reading materials in your institution or agency.
- As necessary, request a second opinion from an authority that is higher in the chain of command.
- Document the process.
- Retain all documentation in case of possible offender grievances and litigation.
- Despite your personal feelings about a particular restriction, strictly follow all standard operating procedures.
- Provide professional responses to all inquiries, no matter how provocative or heated they may seem.
- Remember the overall goal of your institution’s mission statement.
Corrections decisions are made within the bounds of our policies and procedures and with society’s expectations in mind. Therefore, a specific book ban depends on many factors. It is almost never as easy as issuing a categorical “no”. Outside forces may question your decision.
All of that has to be weighed against the common corrections mission of safety for staff, the offender, and the public. To ban or not to ban is rarely as simple as judging a book by its cover.
