Prison Book Program

More than 6,000 individuals are released from prisons in the United States each year. After their release, these individuals often struggle with finding employment as prisons do little or next to nothing to prepare them for a successful return to society after having been locked up behind bars for years at times. Most prisons do not offer educational or job training opportunities for incarcerated individuals, which increases their likelihood of recidivism.

To combat this, US Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Shontel Brown (D-OH), and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) have reintroduced the ‘Prison Libraries Act.’ This bipartisan legislation aims to expand library resources in US state and territory correctional facilities by authorizing $60 million over six years for state prisons to expand library resources and services. This, in turn, will lead to an increase in educational opportunities for incarcerated Americans.

The Prison Book Program is a proud supporting organization of this bill. An online petition, with more than 6,200 signatures so far (and counting!), calls on lawmakers to support the ‘Prison Libraries Act’ (H.R. 7247). To sign the petition, go to the link in our bio under ‘Prison Libraries Act.’

To celebrate Pride Month 🌈, we’re sharing "Inclusion", a piece of artwork by Douglas E., a PBP recipient incarcerated in Massachusetts. While incarcerated, Douglas created an art program designed to engage and support the prison’s large LGBTQ+ population. Created with ballpoint pen and watercolor, "Inclusion" is filled with gender-inclusive symbols and was made as a celebration of and tribute to the LGBTQ+ community at the facility where Douglas is incarcerated. The artwork currently hangs in PBP’s main packing room in Quincy!

This 🌈 Pride Month 🌈 , we want to highlight the unique challenges LGBTQ+ people face inside prisons and jails. At PBP, it's important to us that we show up for our LGBTQ+ readers — with books, and with resources for support and community.

In the comments below, TAG someone who you think would appreciate and support our work!

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SOURCES:
Bureau of Justice Statistics, Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates, 2011–12, via Prison Policy Initiative (2021) — prisonpolicy.org
Black and Pink National, via Prison Policy Initiative (2021) — prisonpolicy.org
Vera Institute of Justice & Black and Pink National, Advancing Transgender Justice: Illuminating Trans Lives Behind and Beyond Bars (2024) — vera.org
Vera Institute of Justice & Black and Pink National (2024) — vera.org
Black and Pink National, via The Appeal (2018) — theappeal.org
Uptown People's Law Center, via The Appeal (2018) — theappeal.org

Prison Book Program's May Newsletter is out!

To read click here: https://mailchi.mp/prisonbookprogram/may-2026-newsletter
To subscribe for future newsletters click here: https://mailchi.mp/prisonbookprogram/subscribe-to-prison-book-programs-newsletter?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Did you know that the Prison Book Program publishes a booklet called the National Prisoner Resource List? Commonly known as the NPRL, this list is a helpful resource for people in prison. It gives them information about places where they (and their families) can find support, advocacy, health care information as well as lifelines to the outside community. The NPRL, upon request, is sent to people in prisons and jails free of charge. It is also available for families and friends to print and mail to their loved ones.

The NPRL also contains a few puzzles and coloring sketches, giving incarcerated people outlets for their creativity. We often receive letters from people in jail narrating that a resource shared in the NPRL helped them get the services they needed or simply made them feel less hopeless because they found a place to turn to for support.

We wanted to share a kind letter from Hector R., who was incarcerated in Massachusetts at the time and responded to one of the questions included on the invoices sent in PBP’s book packages. Hector shared appreciation for the work of PBP volunteers and explained that the books are not only meaningful on a personal level, but are also shared among fellow incarcerated people, helping extend access to reading and learning!

We did it!!! Thanks to your votes for PBP during Project for Awesome 2026, we were selected to receive a grant that will help us continue and expand our work. Every share, vote, and show of support made a difference!

Boston native Jesse Berman first learnt about the Prison Book Program a couple of years ago and has since spent his time volunteering with us. Jesse's favorite job at PBP is verifying, which involves validating our readers' latest address. "I feel a sense of connection to each person when I am able to locate them, especially when they have been transferred around to various facilities and would otherwise be lost in the system," he says. "Many of the letter writers describe having no one on the outside, but because of the work we do, I take some comfort in knowing that they are not forgotten."

For his consistent volunteering efforts, Jesse is our Volunteer of the Month! Thank you, Jesse, for choosing to spend your time with us.

Did you know that we got merch? The Prison Book Program website has T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, totes, hats, and water bottles in a range of colors and varieties. Every purchase supports our mission to provide free books to people in prison!

Link: https://prisonbookprogram.org/shop/ #!/

Since 2014, students from the Commonwealth School have volunteered with the Prison Book Program. What began when a student discovered PBP for a student-organized day of service has grown into a long-standing partnership. Melissa Glenn Haber, a teacher who chaperoned the students, was deeply moved after her first volunteer session through reading letters from those incarcerated, which drew her into the importance of PBP’s work. Since then, she has continued volunteering with her family and established a monthly sign-up for Commonwealth students to volunteer at PBP. Thank you, , for sharing your reflections and for your longtime support!