In any case, when US locks up more of its population in relative terms than any other country in the world, I think the assumption that things are basically broken here should be the default - the onus is on those supporting the status quo to explain why US is special.
The better way to deal with contraband is electronic readers, just to give one obvious example.
Where does your expertise in this topic come from?
I wonder if the same folks banning books in prisons are the same folks that sell access licenses for trash pseudo-documentary tv shows in prison? You know the ones, they usually show you inmates using or trading dope or they'll show off some weapons. This is considered entertainment television programming.
I wouldn't be making appeals to others expertise without some skepticism, friend.
Hey friend, some people learn about corrections the hard way, so it's not assumptions and appeals to authority, it's a lived experience.
The approval processes of any vendors come with product restrictions, which function as bans.
And if there is a better way to deal with contraband then what is it? HN wants to trust the experts on many topics, yet for some reason not on this topic.