The American Prison System's War on Reading

Which word from paragraph 12 best helps the reader understand the meaning of pervasive?

• Particular 

• Every

• System

• Pattern

Prison officials claim books can contain contraband that poses a security risk. Provide text evidence from the section "A Threat to Good Order?" (paragraphs 3-7) that proves this claim to be false.

Which detail from paragraph 12 best supports the idea that reading restrictions are racially biased?

• Even in states with no outright ban on book donations, there are still “content-specific” bans on particular titles and subjects.

• These exist in virtually every American prison, and have become more pervasive with each passing year.

• For instance, many prisons have blanket bans on “urban” novels, a genre revolving around crime and intrigue in African-American communities.

• These are treated as contraband and can’t be obtained through approved sources.

How does the author mainly organize the article?

• By listing the different ways prisoners’ lives are improved by having access to books while they are incarcerated.

• By analyzing the reasons behind book bans and then using evidence to defend the rights of prisoners to access books in prison.

• By discussing how the belief that books are a threat to safety in prisons came from the history of racism in the United States.

• By describing how the decision to ban books in some prisons proves that prisons are not actually intended to reform criminals.

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Which paragraph best summarizes the article?

• Numerous states have started banning used books in their prisons, forcing inmates to pay selected companies for access to reading materials. This is despite research that shows reading improves prisoners’ self-esteem and gives them a sense of purpose. Some famous activists have gotten their education while incarcerated. Restricting books in prison would have deprived the world of their contributions.

• Prisons across the country are limiting inmates’ access to books by approving only certain vendors. These companies will profit off of prisoners, who are forced to buy expensive books. This issue matters because of the positive impact reading has on prisoners’ lives and because of the racist history of denying people of color the right to education. This new policy demonstrates that prisons are not trying to support their inmates, and everyday people should use their voices to get involved.

•  Books are being banned in prisons across the country, with only certain companies receiving permission to sell to inmates. Prison officials argue that donated books pose security risks, but this is a false claim. Prisoners need access to books because reading has psychological benefits and because denying reading materials is connected to this country’s racist past. During slavery, it was illegal to educate Black people; even today, books that focus on the African-American experience are unjustly banned.

• Prisons around the United States are banning book donations that are not from “approved vendors.” They claim these books could contain contraband, even though most smuggling is done by guards. This policy change is a problem because books have a positive influence on prisoners. This issue shows that prisons are not actually concerned with helping incarcerated people improve their futures.