Prison Book Program
Prison Book Program is an American non-profit organization that sends free books to people in prison.[1][2] While the organization is based in Massachusetts, it mails packages of books to people in prisons in 45 U.S. states, as well as Puerto Rico and Guam.[3] The program receives letters from people in prison asking for specific titles or genres, which volunteers use to put together a package of books chosen from a small library of donated books.[4] The organization is run out of the basement of the United First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts.[5] Kelly Brotzman, a former professor with a PhD in ethics from the University of Chicago, currently serves as Executive Director.[3][6] The organization and its staff advocate for greater access to books in prison.[7]
History
Prison Book Program was started in 1972 by volunteers working out of the Red Book Store in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a leftist bookstore.[1] From 1982-2000, the program was housed in the basement of the Red Sun Press, a print shop in Jamaica Plain.[1] In 2000, volunteers moved to a space in downtown Boston before settling in PBP's current headquarters in the basement of the United First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts in 2004.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Sweeney, Emily. "Quincy program celebrates 40 years of sending books to inmates - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ "Quincy nonprofit sends books to people in prison". WCVB. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ^ a b Reid, Levan (2022-05-16). "Prison Book Program gives inmates opportunities to learn - CBS Boston". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ Whitfill, Mary. "'Power of books' still strong at Quincy program for inmates". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ Yunen, Thalia. "Prison Book Program draws attention of Suffolk students". The Suffolk Journal. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ A Conversation with Dr. Kelly Brotzman. Retrieved 2025-02-09 – via videoplayer.telvue.com.
- ^ "The Right to Read: Ensuring Access to Books for Everyone, Everywhere featuring Cory Doctorow, Leah Johnson and Kelly Brotzman". BiblioEvents. 2024-09-24. Retrieved 2025-02-09.