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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
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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 Provides free books and zines to prisoners the Midwest. In your letter, please tell us what genre and type of reading material you are interested in. Include your name, DOC#, facility name, mailing address, any restrictions on books being sent to your facility. Sends books to people in prison, jail or juvenile detention centers in AR, IA, IN, KS, ND, OK, and SD. |
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 Volunteer-run group that sends free books to incarcerated people across the nation. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Open Books Prison Book Project The Prison Book Project sends free books to indigent prisoners in Florida prisons. Florida only.
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Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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PDX Books Through Bars Write to the PO Box to request general topics and genres. 3 Books Max per person, please include the shipping address of your facility and any restrictions. Serves incarcerated people nationwide. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Pittsburgh Prison Book Project Volunteer organization that mails books and informational resources to incarcerated people across PA for free. Pennsylvania only.
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Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Prison Book Program Provides free books and resources to people in prisons and jails upon request. Please request books by genre/topic/subject rather than by title. Also has an online book request form that loved ones can use. Offers a free National Prisoner Resource List containing contact information and service descriptions for 150+ organizations serving incarcerated people and their families, available in English and Spanish. Also offers a 92 page free legal guide, The Insider's Guide to Jailhouse Law, also available in English and in Spanish. Most book requests take 60-90 days to fulfill. Serves people in most federal prisons and most state facilities except Texas, Michigan and California. Does not serve ICE facilities. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |
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Prison Books Collective Publishing and Distribution 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 |
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Prison Library Project All genres of books available, including LGBTQ+, fiction and non-fiction, social sciences, and educational materials. Specific titles are not commonly available. Resource lists available. Include prison mail rules in your request letter and limit requests to once every 4 months. Family and friends can request books through our website The total turnaround time is approximately two-three months. Serves nationwide. |
Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs |