Illinois Prison Removes Books On Black History & Empowerment From Inmate Education Program!

A prison in Illinois is currently under investigation, after an education program established to enlighten inmates has been suspended due to unjustified and overtly racial pretenses.

According to the #ChicagoTribune over 200 books have been removed from the prison library of Danville Correctional Facility. The books were described as “Racial Stuff,” and consisted of literature that addresses issues pertaining to diversity, racism and slavery. Sources have indicated that the following books have also been prohibited from the University of Illinois; “The Souls of Black Folk,” the anti-slavery novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and the memoir of former slave and historical leader Frederick Douglass.


Reports read that the Illinois Department of Corrections responded to the violation of the Freedom Act by stating that the books were removed because they weren’t properly reviewed beforehand. However supporting documents provide a different story; indicating that the books were removed and flagged due to its race related themes.

Books and pamphlets that consisted of the Black Lives Matter movement, Black Power, freedom and justice were identified as too racial for the inmates.

“We acknowledge this situation could have been handled differently,” stayed IDOC Acting Director Rob Jeffreys at a local hearing in the month of July. Sources have indicated that Jeffrey’s never directly answered why the books were removed exactly. He described the ordeal as a policy oversight, stating that the African American experience is welcomed in the prison system.