Strategic Plan

Prison Book Program Strategic Plan
2023-2028

GOAL 1:
Expand our reach, sending more books to more people each year

A.  More Requests

  • Develop and roll out a communications campaign targeting corrections professionals
  • Continue to increase the number of facilities at which PBP is an approved book vendor
  • Partner with correctional technology companies to facilitate incoming requests
  • Send 22,500 packages in 2028

B.  More & better books

  • Maximize the impact of book fairies on maintaining a well-stocked inventory
  • Add at least one new partner bookstore each year
  • Solicit publishers regularly for donations or deep discounts on high-demand titles
  • Increase book purchasing budget each year
  • Coordinate with groups on book drives
  • Continue to increase program and storage space

C.  More volunteers

  • Continue to attract at least 1,400 unique volunteers per year
  • Increase number of volunteer sessions per year to 275
  • Actively market the PBP volunteer experience to groups and host at least 40 groups/year
  • Ensure that volunteer spots remain available to long-time volunteers

D.  Increased financial resources

  • Increase annual revenues to cover all staff and program expenses 
  • Fully execute the fundraising committee’s plan
  • Establish a leadership circle of large donors to advise on prospects
  • Incentivize recurring donations and increase number of recurring donors each year
  • Grow the strategic reserve fund and use it to achieve mission-critical priorities

GOAL 2:
Enhance our program for readers & volunteers

A. Better service for readers

  • Respond to everyone who writes to us, even if we can’t send books to them
  • Respond to 85% of book requests within 90 days
  • Measure and maintain high levels of reader satisfaction
  • Continue to improve data and tracking on individual book requests
  • Create a process for prison librarians to order copies of PBP publications
  • Make PBP publications available digitally on tablets

B.  Improvements and additions to our volunteer program

  • Regularly invite volunteers to participate in events outside of regular volunteer sessions
  • Design and execute a systematic assessment of our volunteer program
  • Measure and maintain high levels of volunteer satisfaction
  • Regularly host sessions for longtime volunteers
  • Connect volunteers to advocacy campaigns advanced by impacted communities

C.  Improved internal processes

  • Add paid positions to increase sessions/year and strengthen prison relations
  • Keep package return rates as low as possible and error rate below 1%
  • Ensure that a broad base of volunteers possess and share knowledge about every step in the fulfillment process
  • Create video tutorials on each step in the fulfillment process
  • Assess space needs and prepare recommendations by 2028

GOAL 3:
Increase PBP’s influence and visibility

A.  Broader awareness of PBP

  • Develop a communications strategy that includes social and legacy media
  • Track media reach and engagement 
  • Enhance merch program
  • Engage interested groups as frequently as possible through talks & presentations
  • Have an in-person presence at relevant community events (table, booth, exhibit)

B.  Connections with similar organizations in Boston and nationally

  • Display, publicize and enhance Art from Inside 
  • Maintain strong connections with other BtPiP groups and participate in effective organizing against restrictive book policies
  • Cultivate partnerships with other organizations doing prison-facing work in Massachusetts and New England and with library and literacy focused groups