Resources: Books, Magazines, and Publishers
PARC corresponds with and mails a directory of these resources to prisoners, their friends and family members. We are often the first point of contact for people to connect with prisoners' rights organizations, community organizations, prison literature and arts projects, family and visiting resources, health care and legal resources, parole and pre-release resources, and the prison abolition movement.
Download a PDF copy of the November 2024 Edition here.
Please note recent updates since our last publication:
Compassion Works For All has closed (see listing in Religious Programs)
Missouri Prison Books: Now sending to Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana. Is banned in Missouri, since Sept 23, 2024
The Pathfinder Network: correct phone is 503-892-5396
Providence Books Through Bars c/o Paper Nautilus 19 S Angell Street Providence RI 02906
Women’s Book Project 3501 Aldrich Ave. S, Minneapolis MN 55408
PDX Books Through Bars: ships up to 3 books for free to anyone incarcerated in all states except Wisconsin. General topics/genres only. PO Box 11222; Portland OR, 97211
| Resource | Category |
|---|---|
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LGBT Books to Prisoners Volunteer-run organization that sends books and other educational materials, free of charge, to LGBT-identified people in prison across the US (except those in TX). Will send books in Spanish (enviar libros en Español). Sends one package of books per year. Prefers requests by topic/genre, but can occasionally fulfill specific requests. Serves all states except Texas. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Liberation Library The only organization that provides books of their choosing to youth in Illinois prisons. Volunteer-run. Write for a catalog of options. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Liberation Lit The only organization that provides books of their choosing to youth in Illinois prisons. Volunteer-run. Write for a catalog of options. Illinois only. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Lopez Books Books to prisoners program serving Washington and Alaska only. Send with general requests by genre and/or topic. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners Write in your book requests by topic or genre, or have a friend print the optional order form from our website and mail to you. Spanish resources available. No law books. Sends books to people who are locked up in jails, prisons, and ICE facilities in Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Midwest Books to Prisoners Midwest Pages to Prisoners provides free books and zines to prisoners in the Midwest. Serves only AR, IA, IN, KS, ND, OK, & SD. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project Midwest Pages to Prisoners provides free books and zines to prisoners in these ten Midwest states only: AR, IA, IN, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, OK, & SD. In your letter, please tell us what type of reading material you are interested in—sharing subjects and genres of interest is most helpful. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Missouri Prison Books Program Abolitionist group of volunteers sending books to individuals incarcerated in Missouri and Kansas only. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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NYC Books Through Bars Write for free books from a large assortment of fiction and non-fiction, including political and history books, and other educational books. Does not send religious texts. Fills requests from all states except AL, FL, LA, MA, MI, MS, NC, PA, OH, and WI. Priority for New York prisoners. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Open Books & the Prison Book Project The Prison Book Project sends free books to indigent prisoners in Florida prisons. Serves people in Florida only. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |