July/August 2002

Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC.

Passing Them On, Thanks to Prison Book Programs

Dear Reader,

Have you experienced either of these dilemmas: too many books and too little time, or too few books and too much time? The power of the written word may transport us, transform us, or open up new worlds to us. Many treasures await us in a library. However, some have limited access to libraries, or limited access to limited libraries; while some have books already read, which only need to be made available to others. The linking of quality books and their ideas with prisoners in want of them is the goal of prison book programs.

At work at the Prison Book Program. Photo: Fran Roznowski

Thirty years ago the Red Book Store in Cambridge, Massachusetts actively began sending books free of charge out of a back room, responding to prisoners' requests since prisoners may not receive books sent by individuals. Other groups formed independently throughout the country to provide a similar service. Today, the Prison Book Program, now a part of the Lucy Parsons Center and Bookstore, sends approximately 8000 books per year. The most common request is for a dictionary. Also popular are books on ethnic heritage, GED materials, novels, basic math and science, drawing, history. Almost every topic imaginable is requested at some point, but what is stocked in the Center's limited space are the best quality paperbacks they are able to obtain by donation. The hunger for dictionaries is so great that they buy them new at wholesale to meet the demand.

Volunteers are struck by the basic need and dedication to learning that some of the readers express. More than one reader has testified that they were able to improve their literacy through materials given by such programs. Of course, one famous student in prison was Malcolm X, but the folks at Lucy Parsons can not take any credit for supplying him! Instead, they let Ray Champagne tell his story:

"Most prisoners are unable to afford to purchase books, so we obtain them from whatever sources we can. I recall the first book I received from Prison Book, George Jackson's Prison Letters,. Being a white prisoner I was somewhat put off (I was a highly evolved creature then), yet I was also very bored near to insanity, so I read the book and to my utter surprise and joy I found that within that small book were words which expressed things which I felt yet was unable to articulate through either the spoken or written word. I am unable to adequately express how I felt but somewhere, deep within my being a door was unlocked--still shut, yet I heard the echo of the lock being sprung. Prison Book kept the literature flowing into the cages. Many of us were receiving books, we would talk about them, have discussions of events beyond us, yet which were a part of us. Books and book programs afford us the opportunity to grow, to see the world in a way that we would never have. I was allowed to see, think and feel beyond myself and my little world. I could now touch a whole universe, yet more importantly--I found that the universe could touch me."

We have sent Spanish-English dictionaries to prisoners with Spanish-speaking cellmates who can't understand English very well and who have a very difficult time understanding what is going on. We have sent foreign language dictionaries and textbooks to those who are to be deported but have no knowledge of their birth country's language, having been raised in the US. Other examples include books on how to meditate requested from death row; books at a level appropriate to those who have finished seventh grade and find the available materials too advanced, and legal resources suitable for a 17 year old.

Volunteers connect with book programs for many reasons. Rayneil Alonzo, in Boston, notes that making books available is essential for a civilized society. "We can't lock people away and not rehabilitate them." Other volunteers love books, or have become aware of this need due to knowing family or friends in prison, or have been in prison themselves, or simply find it's the humane thing to do.

Volunteers are needed inside and out of prison. Inside they hope people will pass books on to others that they have received. Making known this need and connecting with book lovers and book shops is the seed necessary to start such programs. Currently there are programs in nine states and another program that serves only women prisoners. The Lucy Parsons program was started by folks who had experience with prisoners locally. Sending stamps can be a tremendous help. The average package costs almost three dollars to send.

Outside of prison, individuals in the vicinity of prison book programs are welcome to contact them regarding books needed and volunteering. Again, money is greatly appreciated as it is much harder to come by than used books! Books through Bars, a group in Philadelphia, has made a useful handbook on starting a prison book program, which may be of interest to all.

As a result, ideas and optimism flow both into and out of prison despite the irritations of dealing with bureaucracy. Print and human resources get new life, much needed in a world with finite resources. Hopefully, we are all richer in the end.

--Christine O'Neill is a volunteer with the Boston Prison Book Program, 110 Arlington St., Boston, MA 02116; 617/423-3298.

There are prison book programs operating in Ashville NC, Philadelpia PA, Ithaca NY, Seattle WA, Colorado Springs CO, Austin TX, Bloomington IN, New York NY, Amherst MA, Claremont CA, Montreal, San Francisco CA, and Minneapolis MN where the Women's Prison Book Project serves women in all states except Oregon. These programs send books to state and federal prisoners at no charge. They struggle to keep up with demand so you may have to wait several months. Addresses available from Peacework on request.

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