In the 1970s, books were not allowed in prisons. Since then, millions of books have been distributed to prisoners across the country.
Books were n’t allowed in prisons in the 1970s, since then, millions have been given to incarcerated people across the country. Books were n’t allowed in prisons in the 1970s, since then, millions have been given to incarcerated people across the country.
In the 1970s, books were not allowed in prisons. Since then, millions of books have been distributed to prisoners across the country.
Moira Marquis, one of the editors of the recently released anthology titled Books Through Bars: Stories from the Prison Books Movement, characterizes over thirty initiatives in the United States that provide legal materials, correspondence, and books to incarcerated individuals nationwide as acts of “sending care through the mail.” Although there are restrictions and frequently updated regulations regarding what can be sent to prisoners through the mail, the prison books movement, mostly operated by volunteers, offers inmates a way to break free from the constant boredom and isolation according to Marquis. “It is extremely difficult as around 60 percent of adult inmates have low literacy skills (with the number increasing to 85 percent for young inmates), however, programs like “Books Through Bars” provide them with concrete assistance and a valuable link to the world outside prison.” The programs started over 50 years ago, in the 1970s, following political prisoner Martin Sostre’s successful legal battles against prison censorship. Before Sostre’s extensive efforts spanning several decades, prisons only allowed religious texts such as the Bible for reading material. After Sostre’s win, there has been a growth in the number of organizations sending out magazines, newspapers, and books. Author and activist Victoria Law helped establish Books Through Bars NYC in 1995 and was involved with the initiative for a decade and a half. She had two reasons for being motivated.
