Censorship is common in prisons–from blanket bans on vendors to specific titles. In preparation for Prison Banned Book Weeks (which begins today!), colleagues and I discussed the realities of censorship inside. You can view the recorded training on censorship in carceral settings by registering at
https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/censorship_in_carceral_settings.
Interested in joining the campaign against pervasive book bans inside? PEN America has released a new report and toolkit for raising awareness of these practices and engaging in advocacy. Their report and action steps are located at
https://pen.org/campaign/prison-banned-books-week-2023/.
The toolkit for a Banned Books Week social media campaign is at
https://pen.org/prison-banned-books-week-toolkit/.
Want to see what books are banned in prisons in your state? The Marshall Project is continuing to collect this information and to make it publicly available at
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2022/12/21/prison-banned-books-list-find-your-state.
Dr. Jeanie Austin 