Deanne Quinn Miller co-authors a book on Attica Prison Riot
Deanne Quinn Miller and Gary Craig co-authored a book about Miller’s journey finding about her father and the Attica prison riot.
Tina MacIntyre-Yee, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Educational books about drawing and computers. “A Game of Thrones” and other fantasy and comic books. An Abenaki dictionary and books about hip hop culture. L. Ron Hubbard’s “A Description of Scientology.” Issues of Reader’s Digest, Rolling Stone, ESPN The Magazine and GQ.
These are among the thousands of books banned in prisons in Connecticut, prohibited alongside pornographic materials, various survival guides, editions of Abolitionist Magazine, and several volumes of the newsletter published by the Coalition for Prisoners’ Rights.
The Constitution State’s list of 2,000-plus banned books is the most extensive such list in all of New England, records requests show.
Banned in Connecticut: Use our interactive database to search publications by title, author and reason for rejection.
New Hampshire’s banned books, records indicate, include various tomes critical of mass incarceration. The Granite State’s list includes the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy” and “Coming Out of Concrete Closets,” a report on a national LGBTQ prisoner survey conducted by Massachusetts prison abolitionist group Black and Pink.
Banned in New Hampshire: Use our interactive database to search publications by title, author and reason for rejection
Only Connecticut and New Hampshire maintain lists of the materials that have been banned, USA TODAY Network record requests show. Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont said they handle materials coming into their facilities on a case-by-case basis and don’t track their rejections or subsequent appeals.
How and why books are banned in New England prisons
Each New England state has guidelines for which print, audio and video materials are allowed inside its correctional facilities.
The guidelines prohibit materials that prison officials say could pose potential security threats, including content that allegedly aids in prison escapes, depicts explicit sexual or racist content, and teaches ways to create weapons, alcohol, drugs or coded messages.
These guidelines follow Federal Bureau of Prisons regulations that state publications can only be rejected if they are found to be “detrimental to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution or if it might facilitate criminal activity.”
“Each prison governor has the discretion to ban access to any reading material if he or she considers that the content presents a threat to good order or discipline, or that possession of the material is likely to have an adverse effect on the prisoner’s physical or mental condition,” the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Corrections wrote in February on a page on its website titled “Censorship and Banned Book Lists in Correctional Facilities.”
They’re trying to ban ‘Maus’: Why you should read it and these 30 other challenged books
While proponents of restricting books cite safety concerns, critics believe the bans are often highly subjective and broadly worded. They also believe the bans undermine the rehabilitation of people behind bars — particularly when it comes to blocking materials that teach about life skills and systemic oppression.
“The costs outweigh the benefits,” wrote national nonprofit Books to Prisoners in a post about banned book lists across the country. “Our hope is that one day these restrictions will be lifted. We need to challenge these overly inclusive lists as what they really are: Codified censorship for a vulnerable population.”
‘It helps keep the prisoners from beating them’
Rights groups and advocacy organizations have challenged prison book bans across the country, arguing they deny incarcerated people First Amendment rights.
“That material contains unpopular views or even what may be considered repugnant content does not justify its censorship,” the American Library Association wrote while arguing against banning books in prison. “When free people, through judicial procedure, segregate some of their own, they incur the responsibility to provide humane treatment and essential rights… The right to choose what to read is deeply important, and the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society.”
In Florida — a state that bans 20,000 books inside its jails — a federal district court awarded Prison Legal News $1.2 million in 2019 after the state’s department of corrections blocked every issue of PLN’s criminal justice magazine.
At the time, Florida was the only state that censored the 30-year-old publication because of ads for phone services, pen-pals and postage stamps, according to USA TODAY Network paper the Tallahassee Democrat.
“I don’t think (Florida’s banned books) list is much informed or concerned about the Bill of Rights,” Tallahassee civil rights attorney James Cook told the Tallahassee Democrat. “I think it is purely self-serving; it helps keep the prisoners from beating them.”
The books banned in Connecticut prisons
Connecticut only allows books and magazines to be sent to people in custody if they’re in new condition and packaged and shipped by a book store, book club or publisher. according to the state’s website.
“The Unit Administrator or designee may reject a publication only if it is determined to be detrimental to the security, good order, or discipline of the facility or which may facilitate criminal activity,” reads the Connecticut Department of Corrections’ guidelines on banned books. “The Unit Administrator or designee may not reject a publication solely because its content is religious, philosophical, political, social or sexual, or because its content is unpopular or repugnant.”
The state does have an appeals process in its regulations for administrative remedies.
Searchable Database: Are you surprised by the books banned by the state of Connecticut
Connecticut’s banned book list includes a number of materials that could be interpreted as educational.
Stan Gibilisco’s “Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics 5th Edition,” Jane and Charles Holcombe’s “A+ Lab Manual,” and Buddy Scalera’s “Comic Artist’s Essential Photo Reference: People and Poses” were all banned for “describing or encouraging physical violence or group disruption.” Other drawing books, such as Andy Fish’s “How to Draw Superheroes,” were rejected for “encouraging or instructing on the commission of criminal activity.” Rex Cauldwell’s “Taunton’s Plumbing Complete” and Bear Grylis’ “Extreme Foods” were each banned for “safety and security reasons.”
Several issues of the Coalition for Prisoners’ Rights’ publications, an August 2013 Black and Pink publication and copies of Abolition Magazine were among the pro-civil rights publications rejected for “describing or encouraging physical violence or group disruption.” Records show a book titled “Incredible Legal Remedy to Get Any Case Dismissed in Court” was blocked for “safety and security reasons.”
More: Connecticut’s guidelines on banning books
Issues of Reader’s Digest, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, ESPN The Magazine, a Field and Stream camping guide, and David Weaver’s “The 33 Laws of Being Rich Forever” all were banned for “encouraging or instructing on the commission of criminal activity.”
Numerous culture-focused books and publications were blocked for sexually explicit material, including “Spin: 20 Years of Alternative Music,” Cedar Lewisohn’s “Abstract Graffiti,” several tattoo magazines, and various issues of GQ. Tim Ferriss’ “The 4‐Hour Body” and four books in the “Tank Girl” comic series were also flagged under this category.
George R.R. Martin’s “The World of Ice & Fire” and Joseph Staten’s “Halo: Contact Harvest,” based on the video game series, are among the fantasy novels Connecticut banned for “safety and security reasons.” Martin’s “Starport” and “A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel” (the first and fourth volumes) are also on the state’s list because of their sexually explicit material.
Connecticut bans L. Ron Hubbard’s “A Description of Scientology” for “encouraging or instructing on the commission of criminal activity.”
Banned Books Week: Here are the 11 most-challenged books
Books banned for involving escape methods include Barry Davies’ “Soldier of Fortune: Guide to How to Disappear and Never be Found” and “The Good Prison Guide” by Charlie Brunson and Stephen Richards.
A number of books about fighting techniques and disciplines are banned, as are books that reference fighting. The latter includes “How To Fight a Bear and Win” by the Bathroom Readers Institute, “Things to do on the Loo” by Michael Powell and Steven Hansen’s “Hardcore Fitness: Training Developed in Some of America’s Toughest Prisons.”
Connecticut at one time banned Wally Lamb’s “She’s Come Undone,” a bestselling novel featured in Oprah’s Book Club, but reversed the decision in 2013 after public outcry.
The books banned in New Hampshire prisons
New Hampshire only allows books and magazines to be sent to people in custody if from a book publisher or store, according to New Hampshire Department of Corrections policies. Books are reviewed by its Literary Review Committee.
A department spokesperson told the USA TODAY Network she had no record of a list of banned books, but the Human Rights Defense Center obtained a list under the state’s Right-to-Know law in 2019. The list includes 130 titles that were rejected between 2014 and 2019.
The list, shared by Books to Prisoners, identifies as security threats Heather Ann Thompson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy,” Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill’s “Black Mass: Whitey Bulger, the FBI, and a Devil’s Deal,” and a pilot’s guide for Cessna 150 airplanes.
Alice Sebold’s “The Lovely Bones” is prohibited because the rape and murder of the teenage protagonist is considered inappropriate for sex offenders in custody, a New Hampshire corrections official told the Union Leader in 2019.
Searchable Database: Are you surprised by the books by the state of New Hampshire?
More: New Hampshire’s regulations for banning books in its prisons
Alonso Salazar’s biography of Pablo Escobar is on the list and labeled “unable to assess, written in Spanish.”
The department does provide a 10-day window for appeals. Some of the Literary Review Committee rejections that have later been overturned include hip hop artist 50 Cent’s novel “Death Before Dishonor,” Henri Charriere’s “Papillion,” and books about witchcraft, the Union Leader reported in 2019.
Massachusetts’ guidelines for banning books in its prisons
The Massachusetts Department of Correction has no list of prohibited books, a department spokesperson said in response to a USA TODAY Network records request.
Publications are reviewed individually in the Bay State. Massachusetts correctional policies give the deputy superintendent the ability to reject reading materials if they could interfere with “security, order, rehabilitation, or if the publication facilitates, encourages, and/or instructs in criminal activity.”
“The Deputy Superintendent may not reject a publication solely because its content is religious, philosophical, political, social, or because its content is unpopular or repugnant,” reads the department’s policies.
More: Massachusetts’ regulations for banning books in its prisons
People in custody are given seven days to appeal a rejection. The policies state the deputy superintendent may first allow them to inspect any disapproved materials, unless that review could allow the person to gain information prohibited by the department.
When asked for records of any appeals filed by people in custody over the past five years, the spokesperson said “this information is not tracked.” Record of an appeal, the spokesperson said, “is placed directly into the individual (appellant’s) property folder.”
Rhode Island’s guidelines for banning books in its prisons
Rhode Island bans books and other materials on a case-by-case basis, according to the state Department of Correction’s policies.
The department’s Publication Review Committee reviews the book and is comprises the central office warden, the chief of department’s Special Investigations Unit, the interdepartmental project manager and the director’s office.
A department spokesperson said Rhode Island doesn’t maintain a list of banned books.
More: Rhode Island’s regulations for banning books in its prisons
The state’s policies outline 13 prohibited categories, including ones that ban instructions on bomb making, alcohol brewing and escape techniques.
“Written material shall not be rejected solely because its content is religious, philosophical, social or sexual, or because its content is unpopular, repugnant, or based upon an employee’s personal views of the merit of such mail,” reads the department’s policies.
People in custody have a 14-day window to appeal any rejections.
Vermont’s guidelines for banning books in its prisons
Vermont’s Department of Corrections allows “inflammatory material” to be banned if it could constitute “a direct and immediate threat to the security, safety, health, order, or discipline of the facility.”
“No publication will be considered inflammatory solely based on its appeal to a particular ethnic, racial, or religious audience,” reads the department’s guidelines. “No material will be considered inflammatory solely because it criticizes the operation, programs, or personnel of the Department of Corrections, the State Parole Board, and/or any other government agency.”
More: Vermont’s regulations for print, audio and video materials in jails
Vermont individually reviews publications. A spokesperson for the department told the USA TODAY Network no lists of banned books exist, but the guidelines she provided state “No publication will be prohibited without review unless it appears on the disapproved publication list as distributed by the Director of Security, Operations and Audits.”
The USA TODAY Network has requested a copy of that list.
Maine’s guidelines for banning books in its prisons
Maine correctional facilities only allow new books, magazines and newspapers sent by publishers or commercial distributors, according to its regulations.
The regulations outline four prohibited categories: threats to safety, security and orderly facility management; sexually explicit material; material facilitating criminal activity; and materials “substantially detrimental” to rehabilitation, such as a registered sex offender receiving magazines containing pictures of children wearing underwear or partial clothing.
More: Maine’s regulations for banning books in its prisons
Maine doesn’t have a banned book list for its jails, a department spokesperson said in response to a USA TODAY Network records request.
The department’s policies indicate people in custody appeal administrative decisions and grievances. The policies don’t outline any appeals specifically for reading materials.
