gabrielthefool:

I’ve been perusing a list of books banned in prisons by Michigan
Department of Corrections. I shouldn’t be astounded at the level of
control and dehumanization in such a list, but somehow I am.

Prisoners aren’t allowed to read about Tai Chi. All martial arts are
banned, to the point they can’t even read a bio on Bruce Lee. They can’t
get books on Dungeons and Dragons either. Fantasy role-playing is banned. Can’t creatively engage your body or mind.

But let’s say they want to learn computer skills, or the basics of electrical circuits and wiring, so they
have something they can build on when they get out. Nope. Both of those
topics are a threat to the security of the institution. You can’t even
get your hands on a book on general DIY repairs. Maybe you want to learn
to write grants? Grant Writing for Dummies is a no-go too.

Let’s say you’re a pagan. Want to read Buckland’s big blue book? Nope. It’s flagged “Bondage.” That’s it.

Can’t read Che, Malcolm X, Sun Tzu, Huey Newton, or Frantz Fanon. Can’t
read the Encyclopedia of Country Living, or Backwoods Home Magazine’s
guide to emergency preparedness and survival. No Classic Trains, and no
atlases. No Field and Stream magazine.

Our prison system is designed to break people and keep them broken so they can provide slave labor. That’s it.

[the list]

Just a few more interesting inclusions from skimming the first half of the list, with the reasons given for the bans:

Atlas of the World, Oxford University Press (“Maps, threat to safety/security institution” – They might learn about more places to escape to?)

Bookkeeping for Dummies, by Lita Epstein (“The book may facilitate criminal activity because the book includes tax forms which may be used to facilitate the filing of false or fraudulent tax documents.”)

Build Your Own Website the Right Way Using HTML & CSS, by Ian Lloyd (“This book provides detailed instruction on computer codes and languages and how to use them to setup and manage websites, which poses a threat to the security, good order or discipline of” – cut off there)

Loss of Honor: How the Insidious Practices of the Michigan Department of Corrections Can Ruin a Lifetime of Reputation (“Threat to the order and security of the institution; provides detailed information about staff and operations at OCF” – Mostly included because that one is funnier than it should be.)