Washington (October 2, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) and their colleagues, in conjunction with Banned Books Week and the bicameral Congressional resolution condemning the escalating censorship crisis, in calling on Colette Peters, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to provide a full list of books and publications rejected by Bureau of Prison (BOP) facilities, along with more information on how BOP officials determine which materials should be rejected.  With a record 10,000 instances of individual books banned in the 2023-24 school year alone, Banned Books Week—recognized since 1982—is an important reminder of the censorship crisis in America. Book bans also extend beyond schools, with reports that federal prisons are abusing the rejection policy for books and publications.

The letter to Director Peters was co-signed by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.); Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). 

“Reading supports rehabilitation and reentry for incarcerated individuals. Approximately 41% of incarcerated individuals do not have a high school diploma, but those who participate in any kind of educational program are 43% less likely to recidivate. Access to books in prisons makes our prisons, and our communities, safer,” wrote the lawmakers during Banned Books Week. “Under the Bureau’s policy, wardens may reject a publication only if they determine it is “detrimental to the security, good order, or discipline . . . or if it might facilitate criminal activity.” Amid reports that this policy is being abused, and that access to books in our prisons is falling generally, we would appreciate your help as we work to gather more information.” 

Read the full letter HERE.

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