Organized by the Red Book Store Collective in Cambridge, MA in 1972, Prison Book Program was committed to distributing anti-racist, anti-sexist and politically progressive literature. The founding members understood that knowledge was power for prisoners with scant access to books through prison libraries and with often-substandard education. They also realized the importance of the connection forged between people living on both sides of the wall, and pursued it with vigor.

The content of the letters from some of the first prisoners who received books in the mail made it clear that access to information had an impact on their thinking. Through the letters, prisoners repeatedly explained that the organizing that took place in prisons to improve inhumane conditions -- such as those at Attica and Walpole -- benefited from increased access to information from the outside.

As the men and women warehoused in prisons around the country became aware of Prison Book Program, requests increased for a range of materials that could help break prisoners out of illiteracy and ideological repression. Self-help groups of Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, lesbians, gay men and others began to rely on Prison Book Program for specialized materials that they could study and then pass on to others behind the walls, where few constructive opportunities for such efforts exist. Prison Book Program also received requests from prisoners in desperate need of legal materials to prepare appeals and file legal complaints and from prisoners helping each other prepare for the GED (High School Equivalency Exam). In response to these varied requests, PBP expanded it's mission to include the mailing of all kinds of books to prisoners across the country.

In 2001, PBP left it's space in the basement of the Red Sun Press in Jamaica Plain, MA and moved to 110 Arlington Street. Our current space is generously provided by the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. Although the UU's whole-heartedly support our mission, we are an independant organization.

In 2002, PBP celebrated it's 30th year of sending books to prisoners. Click here to read the address by long time PBP volunteer Fran Roznowski at the event.

In 2003, PBP continued to send out record numbers of books to prisoners.  By the end of the year we were averaging 500 packages per month. 

In late 2004, PBP moved it's office from Arlington Street in Boston to the basement of the United First Parish Church in Quincy Center.