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Books to Prisoners (Seattle)

@bookstoprisoners.bsky.social

350 followers 94 following 80 posts

Seattle nonprofit mailing free books to incarcerated people in the United States. Advocating for access to education and communication in prisons since 1973. Bookstoprisoners.net

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Nov 15

Hi everyone! 👋 Books to Prisoners is a nonprofit in Seattle providing free books to incarcerated people (12,000+ annually!). We're new here but we've been working since 1973. Expect posts about prison conditions, the sweeping state of prison censorship, and communications with incarcerated readers.

Handwritten letter from a person in prison describing the lack of a library at the prison. This person is also requesting historical fiction from Books to Prisoners. Dated 1-18-2020.

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · 1d

Without proper oversight, unregulated inmate management funds become guard and admin salary funds, and library resources are already one of the first budget lines cut in prisons and jails.

"The library used to have around 20 newspaper and magazine subscriptions. Those have dwindled to only six."

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

"In Idaho state prisons, a certain percentage of the cost of every commissary purchase and phone call goes into the inmate management fund," writes Dennis. "...These kinds of funds, common in prisons and jails across the country, are typically used to benefit the welfare of incarcerated people."

A Prison Fund Is Supposed to Benefit Incarcerated People in Idaho. Has That Changed?

In the past few years, residents at an Idaho prison have wondered how their basic needs are being met after cuts to educational and religious supplies, gym equipment and movie time.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Books to Prisoners (Seattle)

Peg Cheng @pegcheng.bsky.social · 2d

It’s BANNED BOOKS WEEK & @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social is teaming up with indie bookstores. Buy a book for BTP from 10/5-10/11 & they will receive a 1:1 match from a family foundation. BTP is a fantastic organization & I love volunteering for them. 📚 www.bookstoprisoners.net/post/double-...

Double your donation when you buy a book for BtP during Banned Books Week, Oct 5-11 2025

“Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” That's the theme the American Library Association and the Banned Books Coalition have chosen for Banned Books Week 2025. Their focus is on censorship in ...

www.bookstoprisoners.net

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · 6d

Banned Books Week 2025 starts on October 5. As part of this week focusing on public actions to stop censorship, a generous donor is partnering with several Seattle-area stores to DOUBLE book donations made to Books to Prisoners!

Read more on our blog: www.bookstoprisoners.net/post/double-...

Graphic for a matching grant for Banned Books Week 2025. 5 partnering bookstores are listed on top of a photo of a blue sign saying BOOKSTORE OPEN. The bookstores are: Queen Anne Book Company, Third Place Books, Phinney Books, Couth Buzzard, and Charlie's Queer Books. The graphic also lists the dates of Banned Books Week (October 5 through October 11).

Reposted by Books to Prisoners (Seattle)

skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 19d

In our fight for intellectual freedom and the First Amendment rights of all, we cannot forget people experiencing incarceration. A phenomenal guest post from @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social on what's happening in prison censorship right now (& what you can do!): bookriot.com/books-to-pri...

We Can't Forget People Experiencing Incarceration in Our Fight for Readers' Rights: Book Censorship News, September 19, 2025

The state of book bans and censorship in American prisons. Where and how advocates can change this rampant First Amendment violation.

bookriot.com

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · 20d

All Kansas prisons now prohibit programs like ours, which send donated books to incarcerated readers, & have banned print newspapers from publishers. For what? Vague claims about drugs on paper. Yet they can't & won't provide evidence. Basically: "Trust us, bro."

kansasreflector.com/2025/09/18/k...

Kansas prison officials cite drug-soaked paper as reason for modifying newspaper subscriptions • Kansas Reflector

Drug-soaked paper was smuggled into at least one Kansas prison, according to state officials, who cited the ordeal as the reason for changing print newspaper subscription policies.

kansasreflector.com

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Sep 6

"How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way". A book deemed so harmful by the Florida DOC that even a review committee upheld the ban on the grounds that learning to draw comics somehow presents a threat to the safety of the prison. Even worse, per policy (p. 2), books banned like this are often destroyed.

Page 1 of a rejection letter from Florida Department of Corrections, addressed to Books to Prisoners Seattle. Dated May 2025.

Page 2 of a rejection letter from Florida Department of Corrections, addressed to Books to Prisoners Seattle. Dated May 2025.

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Aug 31

Betteridge's Law of Headlines states that any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered with the word no.

Now readers in this jail are stuck with paltry options that don't help them--unless they pay for e-books. Guards, not books, deliver contraband.

www.yahoo.com/news/article...

Bernalillo County jail confiscated books, stopped mail to curb contraband -- is it working?

Aug. 29—More than a month ago, the Metropolitan Detention Center confiscated personal possessions like books, letters and photos from inmates in an attempt to stem the flow of contraband in the jail —...

www.yahoo.com

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Aug 29

Thank you so much for your support!

Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Aug 28

Volunteer opportunities are currently in person, but there are remote options to support us! We need help finding copies of certain highly requested but infrequently donated books, as well as financial support for postage. Also, boosting these posts is incredibly helpful for supporting our mission!

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Aug 28

Our intrepid Executive Director, Andy, wanted to give a visual representation of our current 3-month backlog of requests. We've worked to catch up since moving last year, but the unanswered letters are still as long as Andy! Can you help? Sign up to volunteer at www.bookstoprisoners.net/volunteer!

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Aug 23

Our friends at Rogue Liberation Library have begun receiving comic book rejections from FCI Marion in Illinois. Despite successful operations nationwide for 50+ years, our programs are frequently scapegoated re: contraband, and we're all frustrated about the resources we're forced to spend to fight.

Rejection letter to Rogue Liberation Library from FCI Marion, a federal prison in Marion, Illinois. The rejected book is a Batman graphic novel and the letter is dated March 24, 2025. It is typed in black ink on white paper. The reason is listed as follows:

"Due to recent attempts to introduce prohibited substances through incoming publications, we will be implementing a policy to reject incoming publications including graphic novels, manga, comics, comic-strip books, coloring books, and any other cartoon-related books."

Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Aug 20

Vocational training materials are some of the most impactful books that we provide upon request. These books can help people plan their futures and increase confidence about re-entry, as expressed in thank you letters like this one.

Interested in helping? 📚
www.bookstoprisoners.net/donate-books

Handwritten letter. Black ink on white paper. Letter reads:

"I was lucky enough to be the recipient of your donated HVAC textbook. I want to write to thank you so much. I could get out in December. I was making about $14.00 an hour as unskilled labor at construction sites. With the knowledge of HVAC and other climate control skills my market value has been raised to about $20.00 an hour.

I lived in a homeless shelter in Reno, NV because $14.00 can't pay the rent, never mind other expenses. Now I can get out and make an honest living. I love doing maintenance & engineering work. Now I can have the skills with other things I study to succeed. You were a large part of that with your donation! So thank you again."

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Aug 18

Organizers of the Wheel Of Time Fan Convention (for fans of the popular fantasy novels), @wotconofficial.bsky.social, raised over $2,200 for us, to fulfill 400+ requests for books! Proceeds from their post-con merch sale will help incarcerated readers and improve future con accessibility! Thank you!

Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Jul 28

5 positive news pieces in our world this week:

5. Prison Banned Books Week has chosen its first recipient for the Martin Sostre Memorial Prison Books Fund: @midwestbooks2p.bsky.social

Read about the Fund here: www.saxapahawprisonbooks.org/martin-sostr...

(Congratulations--much deserved!)

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Jul 28

5 positive news pieces in our world this week:

4. National interest in fighting prison censorship keeps growing--check out coverage of Josephine Burke's project at the University of Connecticut to understand how censorship impacts education in prisons: today.uconn.edu/2025/07/pris...

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Prison-Banned Books Inspire Examination of Education while Incarcerated for Ambitious UConn Undergrad - UConn Today

'One thing that attracts me to a career in academia is the connection with students and student organizing that has been a huge part of activism in Ame ...

today.uconn.edu

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Jul 28

5 positive news pieces in our world this week:

3. Allegheny County Jail in Pennsylvania unveils a free vending machine for books for kids visiting loved ones: www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/n...

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Vending machine at Allegheny County Jail offers books to kids visiting loved ones

A vibrant machine at the Allegheny County Jail is catching a lot of eyes.

www.cbsnews.com

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Jul 28

5 positive news pieces in our world this week:

1. New York State prisons will eliminate fees for phone calls! www.thecity.nyc/2025/07/22/p...

2. Wisconsin Books to Prisoners is working hard to overturn a statewide ban on prison book programs: wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/07/28/w...

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‘Finally, Relief Is on Its Way’: NY to End Prison Phone Fees

Once a crushing cost for families desperate to stay in touch with loved ones behind bars, phone calls will now be covered by the state.

www.thecity.nyc

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Jul 26

The work of prison book programs via a focus on @prisonbookprogram.bsky.social in Quincy, MA, covering the evergreen meaning of physical books, information restrictions created by prison systems, and the powerful solidarity of letters from incarcerated readers.

www.governing.com/workforce/a-...

A Massachusetts-Based Effort to Send Books Behind Bars

For incarcerated people, books can bring hope and new understanding, prepare them for jobs on the outside or simply help pass the time. But they’re often hard to get.

www.governing.com

Reposted by Books to Prisoners (Seattle)

Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · Jul 23

🎉 BIG NEWS: Prison phone calls in New York will be FREE as of August 1!

With this change, families with loved ones incarcerated in NY prisons can expect to save an $13 million annually — money that too often comes at the expense of groceries, rent, & family stability.

💡 tinyurl.com/mvc5w26v

Prisoners’ Phone Calls Will Soon Be Free in New York State

The move will save the loved ones of the state’s more than 30,000 prisoners over $13 million a year, advocates say.

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by Books to Prisoners (Seattle)

Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · Jul 15

As an all-volunteer organization we rely on each other to enhance and expand our efforts. One volunteer decided we should stock kids books and now we do!

Incarcerated people write to us asking for these books so they can read them over the phone to their kids or during in-person visits. 😍

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Reposted by Books to Prisoners (Seattle)

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · Jun 6

"Prisons all over the United States are withholding books from prisoners, but not because they contain contraband. Books are becoming harder to receive based on their content."

By My Prison’s Standards, the Bible Should Be a Banned Book

Today, more than 50,000 books are banned in prison. At Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, the book ban is getting to be ridiculous.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Reposted by Books to Prisoners (Seattle)

Midwest Books to Prisoners @midwestbooks2p.bsky.social · Jun 10

Midwest Books to Prisoners is excited to announce our new home at Theatre Y, a free theater & abolitionist space in North Lawndale, located at 3613 W Cermak Rd (1 block from the Central Park Pink Line). 💗💗💗

Volunteers are welcome anytime during our open hours: 💞Wednesdays 3-7pm
💞Saturdays 12-5pm

Flyer for new location: Theatre Y, 3613 W Cermak (1 block from Central Park Pink Line) Volunteers are welcome anytime during our open hours: Wed 3-7pm Sat 12-5pm

A peek into our new space... a work in progress that is coming together beautifully!! None of this would be possible without our amazing group of volunteers & community who show up to support. Come join us!

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · Jun 7

"Prisoner requests to read books, to draft literature, and to speak to loved ones embody at each turn the crux of escaping the rigor mortis of confinement"

We see this reflected in request letters. Incarcerated readers write about crushing stress & blankness of days in cells. Books bring paths out.

Lit Hub @literaryhub.bsky.social · Jun 6

Amir Hussain considers prison literature and the state-led suppression of language.

Compulsory Silence: On the State-Led Suppression of Language in American Prisons

Suppression of language and literacy in the prison setting has long been a state-led endeavor not only to punish prisoners but also to expropriate for those who need it most the radical crux of lit…

buff.ly

Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · May 19

"People who are incarcerated don't forfeit their rights to access to information or to reading materials," says Alan Kilpatrick, a librarian with the Law Society of Saskatchewan.

@cbcnews-rss.bsky.social

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Saskatchewan librarians push for better access to books in jails | CBC News

For many Canadians, reading a book is part of daily life — whether its for learning, entertainment or peace of mind. But in Saskatchewan's provincial jails, access to reading materials is far from gua...

www.cbc.ca

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Books to Prisoners (Seattle) @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social · May 9

Thank you to everyone who supported our big ask for postage costs during #GiveBig! Your gifts will make it possible for us to mail almost 1,000 packages of books, each of which will educate, entertain, and possibly change the life of a reader in prison.

Thank you graphic from Books to Prisoners Seattle for GiveBIG. It is a slightly altered version of a previous graphic, which has the heading "SUMMER OF STAMPS". This version has text at the bottom reading "You raised postage for 996 packages!"