Tonight I received a D.R.C. appeal ruling for 3 books the unit mailroom denied recently. Below is the text of the appeal I filed with the D.R.C. and the two sheets that are the ruling on the appeal. Just another example of TDCJ bureaucratic despotism. I wonder if they would have denied 3 copies of the new book by that most profound right-wing darling Sarah Palin…?
R.
Robert Will #999402
Polunsky Unit
3872 F.M. 350 South
Livingston, TX. 77351
December 14, 2009
MondayDirector’s Review Committee
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX. 77342
DRC:
On 12/4/09 I received two separate I-153 “Denial Forms” concerning 3 books that were denied from one order sent by Dover Publications. The justification for the denial was given as “multiple copies.”I have thoroughly reviewed BP-3.91 and nowhere in the policy does it state that we are not allowed to receive multiple copies of the same book. Furthermore, on previous occasions I have received more than one copy of the same book. When I asked the delivering mail room clerk why the books were denied I was told, “Because you can traffic and trade with them.”
The books that were denied are “Lysistrata” by the classic Greek playwright Aristophanes and 2 copies of the great American political philosopher Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience and Other Essays.” I have never heard of books being used for “trafficking and trading” and books such as these are read by only perhaps 1% of the prison population or less.
I would like to respectfully request that the 3 denied books be returned to me. Thank you for your time in this matter.
Respectfully submitted
Rob Will