According to a new report by PEN America, an organization advocating for free expression, U.S. prisons have banned thousands of new and unexpected books and magazines, with some states even censoring more titles than all schools and libraries combined.

The report, based on extensive research and interviews with prison staff and inmates, and the numbers are staggering.

Florida topped the list with a whopping 22,825 banned titles, followed by Texas with 10,265 and Kansas with 7,669. And these numbers are just from the states that keep an official record of their banned books. Other states, including Colorado’s Department of Corrections, do not have a comprehensive record of their banned titles.

According to Moira Marquis, lead author of the report, books deemed sexually explicit or culturally sensitive are often targeted. Surprisingly, the most banned book isn't a controversial political or religious text, but rather a cookbook written by inmates, entitled "Prison Ramen: Recipes and Stories from Behind Bars." Other commonly banned titles include self-help books like "The 48 Laws of Power" and "The Art of War."

But the true extent of censorship in prisons may be even higher than reported. Due to a lack of documentation, PEN America believes that the actual numbers may be exponentially greater.

The organization also points out that it's not just about specific titles being banned, but also about the restriction of the medium of the written word itself. This is a troubling trend that goes against the principles of free expression and the First Amendment.

PEN America also works with organizations that provide books and resources to inmates, such as the Prison Book Program. However, these efforts are often hindered by the strict rules and regulations of prison censorship. And it's not just about the content of the books, but also about where they come from. Prisons are increasingly limiting the booksellers allowed to provide books to inmates, making it harder for organizations like the Prison Book Program to do their work.

Even more concerning is the reason behind these restrictions – with prisons claiming that it's to prevent the introduction of contraband, such as drugs, through books and other printed material. However, the facts tell a different story.

In Colorado, for example, the Department of Corrections does not even keep track of the titles of banned books, choosing instead to send them back to unapproved vendors without even checking the title. This lack of transparency and disregard for the written word raises serious concerns about the true intentions behind these book bans.

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And the consequences of this censorship go beyond just restricting access to books. In recent years, prisons have seen an increase in the amount of "drug-soaked mail" being sent to inmates through books, magazines, and newspapers.

While this is a legitimate concern, it should not be used as an excuse to censor all books and deprive all inmates of the opportunity to read and educate themselves.