Rev. Danny Fisher

The Buddhist Channel has just released an exclusive story by Kooi Fong Lim concerning a recent incident at Gowanda Correctional Facility in Gowanda, NY.

It seems that William “Red” Graham, a prisoner at the facility, was denied access to the Venerable Kobutsu Malone’s new book Prison Chaplaincy Guidelines for Zen Buddhism: A Source Book for Prison Chaplains, Administrators, and Security Personnel.

According to the Buddhist Channel’s report, the Gowanda Correctional Facility’s Media Review Committee has deemed pages 1-74 of the book inappropriate.

Although ads for the book assert that it is 88 pages in length, Lim’s article explains that the text is actually only 74 pages long and that it appears on pages 1-74. The other fourteen pages are comprised of the front and back covers and some “preliminary pages.” This means the committee has effectively denied Graham access to the entire book.

The committee has stated that they made this decision because the book “depicts/describes procedures to be implemented solely by Administration.”

While the (sub)title suggests that the book is not intended for prisoners, Lim raises the serious question of whether or not this is grounds for denying a prisoner access the book. He writes:

What specific “procedures implemented solely by Administration” found in “Prison Chaplaincy Guidelines for Zen Buddhism” are being objected to?

According to the State of New York Department of Correctional Services (NYSDOCS) Directive # 4572 Media Review (Last updated 10/02/2000), it states in section II (Standards) a list of guidelines (A. through H) by which literature for prisoners is evaluated.

A comprehensive review of the directive’s guidelines reveals nothing that substantiates a justification for the ban, as none of the content in the book contradicts in any way whatsoever what the State lists as “standards for media evaluation.”

To date, only Gowanda Correctional Facility in New York has objected to the book. No other correctional facilities within New York State, The Federal Bureau of Prisons, or prisons and jails in any other state have taken similar action.

For some, the rejection of the book outright and the lack of any clear reason why smacks of an abuse of power. Ven. Kobutsu tells the Buddhist Channel:

“I’m astonished that the prison authorities have objected to basic Buddhist teachings such as the ‘Heart Sutra’, and other fundamental Buddhist principles such as ‘The Three Marks of Existence’, ‘The Four Noble Truths’ and ‘The Ten Precepts’ contained within the 74 pages saying that these are ‘procedures to be implemented’ by a functionary of the state…It appears to be an arbitrary and discriminatory decision…The prison officials do not seem to be adhering to their own regulations. Their action is totally bogus and constitute an egregious violation of Red’s (William’s) rights.”

At present, Graham is seeking legal representation and a detailed explanation of the Media Review Committee’s decision.

I would like to wait until I have read Ven. Kobutsu’s book before commenting further, but I will continue to follow this story as it develops.

The Buddhist Channel invites readers concerned about Graham to write one, some, or all of the following members of the New York State Department of Correctional Services State Supervisory:

Mr. Glen S. Goord, Commissioner
New York State Department of Correctional Services
Harriman State Campus, Building #2
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12226

Mr. Anthony J. Annucci, Deputy Commissioner & Counsel
New York State Department of Correctional Services
Harriman State Campus, Building #2
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12226

Mr. Al Coombs, Director, Media Review
New York State Department of Correctional Services
Harriman State Campus, Building #2
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12226

Mr. Mark Leonard, Director, Ministerial and Family Services
New York State Department of Correctional Services
Harriman State Campus, Building #2
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12226

Those who would like to write to Graham directly can do so at this address:

Mr. William Graham # 84 A 6009
Gowanda Correctional Facility
Post Office Box 311
Gowanda, New York 14070-0311