BANNED BOOKS IN PRISONS

There has been a lot of media coverage the last year on the subject of religious materials being removed from prison libraries. Much of the inspiration to do so has come from the Department of Homeland Security who felt that prisoners were going to read certain books, become religious fanatics, want to start a jihad, etc.

Pressure has come from religious groups, civil libertarians, librarian groups and recently even from members of Congress.

Now in a sudden reversal of policy the Federal Bureau of Prisons has decided to return all these religious materials that had been purged from prison chapel libraries. It's downright humorous that they are doing this right before Banned Books Week.

The complete story can be viewed at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/washington/27prison.html?th&emc=th