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Resources: Free Books Programs
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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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 |
Providence Books Through Bars All-volunter outfit that sends donated books to provide free reading material for incarcerated people nationwide. |
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 |
RedBird Books-to-Prisoners Dedicated to providing Ohio prisoners with free books and reading materials. Send requests by subject with priority to individuals incarcerated in Ohio. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
Saxapahaw Prison Books Free books to individuals incarcerated in Georgia. Write for more info on resources available. Georgia only. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
Urbana-Champaign Books to Prisoners UC Books to Prisoners is an Urbana, Illinois based project providing books at no cost by mail to inmates in state and federal prisons, as well as the jail library in Illinois. Serves people in Illinois only. Instagram @bookstoprisoners |
Educational Resources, Free Books Programs |
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners Project Wisconsin Books to Prisoners is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that sends books free of charge to state prisoners in Wisconsin. Does not respond to email inquiries. Sends to Wisconsin only. |
Educational Resources, Free Books Programs |