Few people appreciate books more than many of those behind bars. And few may find it more difficult to obtain those books.
But thanks to more than 60 nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and elsewhere, people who are incarcerated can have access to a few of the books they would like to read.
The books to prisoners movement began in 1972 by organizers at the Red Book Store Collective in Cambridge, Mass., and has since spread to 31 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and England.
The organization we are most familiar with, since we regularly volunteer there, is PDX Books Through Bars in Portland, Ore. Until recently it was known as Portland Books to Prisoners and worked under the auspices of Seattle Books to Prisoners. Earlier this year, however, the organization received its own nonprofit status and a new name. We feel that being involved in the books to prisoner movement is important, because it helps improve literacy among those who are incarcerated and provides learning opportunities and entertainment to those who desperately desire them.
How books to prisoners programs work
Although every program is a bit different, PDX Books Through Bars sends books to people incarcerated in prisons throughout the U.S. Every Tuesday evening, a group consisting of the six board members and 10 to 15 volunteers gather in a rented space at Alder Commons, a nonprofit community center. Volunteers sign up on Hands On Greater Portland, a site where Portland residents can search for volunteer opportunities.
During the two-hour sessions, they read letters from people requesting books. The prisoners sometimes ask for specific titles, but usually tell what kinds of books they like to read, and it’s up to the volunteers to choose up to three items from the library of donated books and magazines. The most requested things are dictionaries; thriller, mystery and other novels; and how-to-draw books.
If no book matches the request, volunteers can search the internet to determine a special-order book that might be a good fit. These are then purchased through Powells Books, which is the world’s largest independent book store and located in downtown Portland. PDX Books Through Bars sells some of its donated books to Powell’s for credit to buy special requests.
Everyone who is involved in PDX Books Through Bars is a volunteer, and most books are donated. There are still expenses involved, however. The organization pays $100 per month to rent the space it operates from, and between $500 and $800 per month for postage to mail out the books. Funding comes primarily from individual donations.
Other books to prisoners programs
All of the books to prisoners programs have the same goal – to ensure that people in prison have access to books they’d like to read – but each nonprofit operates a bit differently. Here are a few other examples to highlight efforts around the country.
Prison Book Program – The original books to prisoners organization, which began in Cambridge, Mass., the Prison Book Program is still going strong. In addition to sending books to people who are incarcerated in all U.S. states, this nonprofit publishes two useful lists. The 16-page National Prisoner Resource List, which is sent out to those who request it and is also downloadable from PBP’s website, includes places to get information on healthcare, legal assistance, creative outlets, spirituality and other areas of support. The nonprofit also publishes the We the People Legal Primer, an 80-page document that includes everything from a legal dictionary and ways to carry out legal research to how to clean up a criminal record.
Appalachian Book Project – Based in Morgantown, W.Va., the Appalachian Book Project sends books to people who are incarcerated in West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Maryland. It also sponsors a pen pal program and operates book clubs inside prisons in the region that it covers.
Open Books & The Prison Book Project — Open Books is a volunteer-operated, nonprofit bookstore in Pensacola, Fla., that was created to support its Prison Book Project from the profits made on the sale of books and donations.
X Books – The founders of this nonprofit organization in Atlanta, which concentrates on serving those incarcerated in Georgia, were inspired by Malcolm X, thus the name. Because Georgia prisons don’t allow individuals to have used books, it donates these to prison libraries throughout the state. It also sends quarterly catalogs to people in prison that allow them to choose new books from the selection offered.
Chicago Books to Women in Prison – Chicago Books to Women in Prison sends free books to women’s state prisons in 13 states, as well women in all Federal prisons and trans women who are incarcerated in any men’s prison anywhere in the U.S. The organization includes a list of the types of books it needs – and those it won’t accept – on its website, so people can donate appropriate books. It also maintains an online wish list with two local independent bookstores. People can choose a new book from the list, pay for it, and it will be delivered to the organization.
Urbana Champaign Books to Prisoners – UC Books to Prisoners sends books to individuals incarcerated in Illinois, as well as its local county jail. The organization’s volunteers also staff the Champaign County Jail lending library.
Inside Books Project – Located in Austin, Texas, Inside Books Project sends books to people in prisons throughout Texas. It also publishes a resource guide that can be downloaded from its website.
Editor’s note: If you would like to donate books or money to help send books to people who are incarcerated, check out the books to prisoners program network list and choose one to support.
