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 |
|---|---|
|
Pathfinder Press Pathfinder Press is a publisher which carries books on the works of revolutionary and working class leaders, in many different languages. Prisoners receive a 50% discount off the cover price, with a flat rate of $2.75 for shipping and handling per order (one or more titles). Write for a free catalog. Catalog includes books in 11 languages. Pathfinder Press also sells many books in Spanish and can correspond with prisoners in Spanish. Serves people internationally. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers |
|
PDX Books Through Bars PDX Books Through Bars is an all-volunteer org in Oregon. We ship up to 3 books for free to anyone incarcerated in all states except Wisconsin (although if WI changes their rules we will resume shipping there). Write in to request general topics and genres. Please include the mail-in address of your facility and any restrictions. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
|
Pittsburgh Prison Book Project All-volunteer non-profit organization that sends free educational books and quality reading material to people incarcerated in Pennsyvlania. Pennsylvania only. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
|
PM Press PM Press carries counter-culture, anti-prison, and similar titles including The Prison-Industrial Complex and the Global Economy, Let Freedom Ring: A Collection of Documents from the Movements to Free U.S. Political Prisoners, and more. Prisoners receive a 50% discount. No longer offers printed catalog; must view website (asking for outside help if needed) for listings of books. Check your selection against the prison's contraband list as many political books are banned. Serves nationally. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers |
|
Prison Book Program Free books and print resources to people in prisons and jails. Offers a free National Prisoner Resource List and a free legal primer (We The People). Three book shipments per person per year. Requests typically take 60-90 days to fill. Serves people in all 50 states, except facilities and state systems which do not permit free books or only permit books from Amazon, Hamilton, etc. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
|
Prison Books Collective Publishing and Distribution The Prison Books Collective Publishing and Distribution is a books-to-prisoners nonprofit based in Durham, NC. PBC's catalog includes radical essays, guides, games, and Words of Fire, our literary magazine of art and writing by incarcerated people (always accepting submissions). Sends books and zines to any incarcerated men in NC, incarcerated people of all genders in AL, and people incarcerated in federal prisons in DE, KY, MD, TN, VA, and WV. Women in NC should mail the NC Women's Prison Book Project. Zines available to people across the US—write for a catalog. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
|
Prison Library Project All genres of books and literature are available, including LGBTQ+, fiction and non-fiction, social sciences, and educational materials. Limit requests to once every four months. Family and friends can request books online through our website. Resource lists are always available and provided for other similar programs nationwide. Include prison mail rules in your request letter. The total turnaround time is approximately two-three months. Serves nationwide. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
|
Prisoner Express Prisoner Express News is published every six months and sent free of charge to incarcerated individuals throughout the United States. They are also available for download online. PE also sends books and educational packets as available. Prisoner Express has ongoing programs in creative writing, chess, meditation, journaling and art. Sends to people nationally.
|
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines |
|
Prisoners Literature Project Sends free books to prisoners across the U.S.No Christian or legal books available. Limit requests to once per year, and be patient while they try to find books to match your requests. Inform them of any book restrictions at your prison. PLP is one of PARC's partners - ask them for your next copy of the PARC directory! Serves people nationally except Texas (check out Inside Books Project instead!). |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
|
Read Between the Bars Read Between the Bars is an all-volunteer, non-profit collective sending free books since 2007. We do not have law books. Serves people in Arizona only. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |