banning non-english language books is discriminatory

Michigan’s American Civil Liberties Union is asking the state Department of Corrections to allow inmates access to foreign language books.

Two months ago, the ministry lifted its ban on non-English language dictionaries. But some teaching materials and phrasebooks in languages ​​other than English are still not allowed.

In a letter sent to MDOC this week, the ACLU says the policy violates the First Amendment.

Ramis Wadood is a non-profit lawyer.

“I think at the heart of the foreign language, material prohibitions is discrimination. It’s great that they removed the ban on foreign language dictionaries, the core of the problem of discrimination still exists with respect to other materials in foreign languages.”

Chris Gautz is a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Corrections. He says a meeting is scheduled for next week to review his list of banned books.

“The director is committed to reviewing every book on this list and making sure the books on this list still need to be there. And if there’s a process, processes that we can change, that would keep, you know, the list to grow in a way that we think she doesn’t need anymore.”

Gautz says officials want to make sure English language learners have access to material in their own language.