A Few Quotes from Prisoner Letters

These are just a few of the book requests we've been working on this week:

From an inmate requesting children's books: "The children's books are for my 9 year-old daughter. Something short that I can read to her on the phone, but long enough not to be childish. She is a smart and beautiful girl."

From an inmate requesting books on electrical wiring: "Myself and other inmate electricians will study every page. I teach both female and male inmates electric & electronics. Several are now working on the streets as electricians."

From an inmate in a maximum security facility: "Some of us do not have televisions and we find that reading books is about the only other way there is to pass the time without dwelling on it."

From an inmate requesting humanities textbooks for a study group: "We have a craving for learning and to become better citizens once we are released to society."

You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train

The life of Howard Zinn - a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years and a long-time friend of the Prison Book Program - is the subject of a documentary film that premiered at the Provincetown Film Festival last weekend. Howard will be in attendance at the Boston premiere on June 29 at the Coolidge Corner theater. Stop by and check it out!

Frontline episode 'The Plea'

The PBS show 'Frontline' is airing a show this evening called 'The Plea' that investigates the practice of plea bargaining. Many people in this country are misled by popular courtroom drama shows into thinking that most criminal cases in this country are brought before a jury. This is not the case; 95 percent of all people convicted of felonies never reach a jury of their peers.
This practice of plea bargaining actually has a profound effect on justice in this country; many have argued that this causes defendents to admit guilt whether they are or not.
If you can, tune in!!!!

Why education in prison is important

Here's an excellent article summarizing the relationship between illiteracy and criminal behavior.

Schools “Down Back”

Because of the cuts in funds for prison education, the services of PBP are needed more than ever!