PBP serves readers, not systems. It is the responsibility of jurisdictions to provide adequate libraries and obtain books for programs. PBP is keenly aware of the poor state of most correctional libraries and shares the hope that they will receive the resources and investment they deserve. PBP’s fulfillment process is designed to respond to individual book requests submitted by incarcerated people, normally in the form of a letter.  This way, people are getting books they actually want to read, and they have access to their books during lockdowns and periods of library closure. In limited circumstances, PBP will supply books to facilities, but only if we receive approval to implement our normal, reader-driven model in that facility.

Nonprofit groups like Prison Book Program are the safest source of books for any correctional facility. All commercial book vendors (publishers, retailers) utilize a warehouse-based order fulfillment process: a worker retrieves the ordered item(s) and packages the item(s) for sending. Introducing contraband into books or book packages is relatively straightforward in this model. By contrast, nonprofit prison book programs use a well-supervised, communal process for building their inventories and fulfilling orders. Our books are a mix of community donations and bulk purchases.

All incoming books are thoroughly inspected by a well-trained team of sorters prior to being shelved or stored. Most book orders are for genres/categories of books, not for specific titles. Orders are fulfilled in the order in which they are received, and every order is handled by at least four people. The chances of a bad actor donating a tainted book and ensuring (a) that the book is on the shelves when their intended recipient’s order is being fulfilled, (b) that the book is not chosen for a different person, (c) that their intended recipient’s order is in the fulfillment queue at just the right time, and (d) that the book is not substituted for another one later in the fulfillment process is near zero.

Furthermore, nonprofit prison book programs do not transact money with book requestors/recipients. Books are always free. Therefore, there is no financial incentive to introduce contraband. Finally, nonprofit prison book programs are staffed by book lovers and people who want to help, not harm, incarcerated people.

Yes. Books and reading benefit inmate health, enhance institutional safety, and aid rehabilitation. People tell us that when they have books to read, they are better able to manage their behavior; enjoy better overall mental health; experience less boredom, agitation, and despair; and generally feel calmer and more focused. People also say that books help them build positive social bonds with other people; exercise their creativity and imagination; acquire new skills; and reflect on their lives and grow as human beings.

Yes. Reading improves inmate health, greatly decreases incidents of self-harm and suicide, and lowers recidivism. Thirty minutes of reading has been shown to be just as effective as yoga in diminishing feelings of psychological distress and lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Reading also stimulates critical thinking, the cognitive behavioral skill at the heart of many rehabilitative programs. Researchers have established that reading fiction is associated with empathy and perspective-taking, which are powerful protective factors against criminality and violence. Book policies that encourage frequent and broad reading can improve correctional outcomes.

Reach out to us here. Select “I work in a correctional facility” from the dropdown menu. A staff member will follow up with you to add your facility to our database and ensure that any specific book rules at your facility are correctly entered. All book requests from people at your facility will be marked up with your facility’s rules prior to fulfillment.

Click here for a generic flyer explaining our services. This flyer can be modified to suit the specific rules at your facility. We suggest posting these flyers in the housing units at your facility, as well as any library or educational spaces.

Return the book in the original packaging, marked RTS (return to sender). The return will be at PBP’s expense. PBP will reach out to your mailroom to ensure we understand the reason for the rejection and have a proper record of all book rules at your facility. PBP will then attempt to replace the item with a more suitable one.

Do not return the books. Add the books to your facility’s library or use them in any way you wish.

Return the book in the original packaging, marked RTS (return to sender). The return will be at PBP’s expense. We will re-send the package to the new facility.

Yes. “Adults in the custody of [insert jurisdiction here] may receive paperback or hardback books and publications in new or used condition from any nonprofit organization in the United States. Such books must be: sent via the U.S Postal Service; free of all contraband; not detrimental to institutional security; and provided free of charge to requestors. [Insert jurisdiction here] will not restrict any adult in custody from requesting books and reading materials from such organizations. In addition, books from commercial book vendors (publishers, retailers) may also be approved by [insert jurisdiction here].”