ADOC's Attempt at Censorship

April 5, 2010

Today I received an "Inmate Property Received Form", "Contraband Property Notification", and a "Publication Pending Review Notice", which stated that the Lewis Prison Complex Publication Review Staff Member, CO II King, has found that I received two publications which are in violation of Director's Instruction 914 "because they contain obscenity and/or may be considered a threat to security". Apparently, the publications have been sent to The Office of Publications Review for disposition.

One of the "publications" in question is actually a "Guest Blog" piece that I wrote called "Avoidable Tensions" that appeared on www.jonsjailjournal.blogspot.com as well as the public's comments to it.

One other "publication" in question identified only as "Not Shut Up Magazine" was contra banded as well. Although I've never heard of or written for this publication, the magazine's title says alot and has possible First Amendment rights issues contained in its pages. I'm a fan of my guaranteed right to free speech, amongst other rights, under the 1st Amendment. I'm not sure what this magazine contains that COII King has deemed it contraband. (I've also had two Arizona Highways Magazines contra banded recently with explanations of 'contains escape paraphernalia: maps'). Naively, I figured that in the past five years of my blogs' existence online that ADOC and certain employees have learned that my blog sites are constitutionally protected, are not anti-establishment/corrections/etc, state facts and opinions as well as true experiences, and is not purposely critical of anybody whether in brown or orange. I do not write anything that will intentionally harm anybody or endanger anybody or cause innocent people hardship. I also try not to sugar-coat, spin or exaggerate things. I leave all that to the department's pros and the media. I'm not a mouthpiece for anybody but myself. I communicate lawfully, passionately, straight-forwardly, outspoken and however I choose. Public comments are always encouraged, invited and accepted, but do not necessarily reflect my own or anybody related to the site operations' opinions, and disruptive dumb-asses...well...send your comments too. I'm sure everyone'll love your input.

I will not be silenced by anybody willingly and without resistance on my part. I've already been investigated and closely monitored, as well as questioned by ADOC staff. I've felt harassed and intimidated by ADOC staff in an attempt to silence me in the past. I turn up the heat in response and will not surrender my ink pens. I know my rights and am always prepared to enforce them, whether it is online or in court. I won't accept defeat.

As for the contrabanded material...if the material is not issued to me in a timely manner or excluded for a legitimate reason that jibes with current federal law, I will take appropriate corrective action through the grievance process. If nothing is resolved via Institutional Grievance, I will, in an amazing show of compassion and restraint, donate the contraband to ADOC without any regret. I'm not willing to allow the ADOC to waste more tax dollars, which are ripped brutally away from AZ's kids, in order to defend against another lawsuit, which was 100% avoidable and maliciously caused by staff. Albeit a de minimus injury (non-physical) and quite a petty violation to some, but a violation nonetheless. What would further emphasize the ridiculousness of the whole situation is the fact that the guest blog which was taken under publication review is inconsequential. I WROTE IT and have many fans/proof-readers within the prison system, and if I were smart, I'd likely safe-guard copies of my work, just in case...

Speaking of wasteful spending and state budget problems...in such a dire budget crisis like now, isn't the ADOC's lack of any substantial budget cuts; ADOC's unnecessary job positions such as "Complex-Level Publications Review Staff Member"; and innumerable other budget cutting options and down-sizing options. ALL state agencies clearly are not being forced to trim down their excess spending and reduce some of their staff that are not necessary to safely operate the complex. Possibly if COII King didn't have such a burdensome job in Lewis Complex Mail & Property reading my blogs and interfering with prisoners authorized mail & property on a daily basis, there'd be one more security staff on the units where they're needed. I suppose that until Arizona decides that its students' educations, impoverished citizens health & welfare, ill children's health, and seriously mentally disturbed people's safety and sanity are more important and a priority that takes precedence over the Arizona Dept. of Corrections' desires to stuff inmates into every nook and cranny throughout the state for mainly drug-related and property crimes, all the while ADC's population expanding rapidly continuing to balloon its massive fiscal budget to keep me idling uselessly in a cell writing, while COII King sits around reading my mail, earning a living effortlessly. I can only hope that significant changes occur within our legislative chambers, as well as ADOC, in order to heft the state's huge budget cuts from the weak, frail back of Arizona's most vulnerable, deserving and needy onto ADOC's massive shoulders. Early releases or not, ADOC and its prisoners should be on the budget chopping block instead.

One significant budget savings that could be successful and virtually painless? The removal of numerous unnecessary positions and committees within ADOC, including Publication Review Staff.