Agar Threatens Prison Security
One day I received a request for Agar from someone named Leslie McBride,
who at the time was incarcerated in a Federal prison in Louisiana. Since
prisoners were not allowed to receive floppy disks or other digital media
in the mail, McBride requested that I send him the program in the form of
hardcopy listings. I did so, but the listings were returned to me with the
following memo, along with a great deal of less humorous paperwork.
McBride, Leslie R. REG. NO. 07261-035 Filed:7-25-1991
15731-R1 PART B - RESPONSE
You have complained that the rejection of a publication which
specifically outlines electronic component designs should be
reversed. Specifically, you contend that the basis for
rejection of publications entitled Software for Agar: Agar
Sources and PC Magazine does not pose a security risk to
the running of the institution. You contend that this
publication would be used only for educational purposes.
We have reviewed both the publication and Bureau of Prisons
Program Statements 5266.5, entitled, Incoming Publications
and 1232.3, entitled, Personal Computers. We fully support
the rejection of this publication by the Warden. The
publication was rejected because it contains matters which
could affect the security and the orderly running of an
institution. Specifically, this publication thoroughly
denotes construction of devices that may interfere with the
institution security system. Therefore, the rejection was
proper.
In view of the above, your request for relief is denied....
Charles Turnbo
Regional Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Aug 23 1991
I was pretty proud of this, but of course maybe it was the PC Magazine
they were objecting to. Maybe getting export controls
slapped on will be next. Those ants just get in everything...
mt@media.mit.edu