Last week, in preparation for a Platia book drive, I spent the afternoon at Books Through Bars in West Philly. The small space is packed with tables and chairs for volunteers, lots of mail bins, and two full libraries worth of organized books. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the group, they are an approved organization that receives letters from incarcerated people and fulfills their requests for reading material through donated books. According to Books Through Bars, “The United States is ranked #22 in educational attainment globally, but #1 in incarceration.” And though people who take advantage of educational services while incarcerated are less likely to return to prison, the process to get the materials in their hands is a long one. 

The process goes like this: 

• A letter is sent from a correctional facility with the person's ID number and location. In the letter they request what they’d like. That might look like simply a list that says, “Please send crime novels and thrillers.” Or, that might be detailed, such as, “Please send me books by Dean Koontz and Stephen King.” 
• A volunteer with Books Through Bars goes into their libraries and finds that book or the closest relative option.
• They sort the request to be checked and invoiced by another volunteer, who makes sure to identify each book, stamp it, and note what’s included in the package for anyone at the facility who deals with mail. 

Some facts I learned during the very thorough volunteer session with Books Through Bars: 

Many facilities do not actually give incarcerated folks the letters or mail they receive. They go through a Mailboxes Etc. of sorts and receive a scanned digital copy of the letter. Initially I had hoped to do a New Year’s card-making activity and we decided to write well-wishing letters instead, knowing the art in the cards wouldn’t actually arrive in their hands. 

The Books Through Bars stamp each volunteer stamps into every book sent out helps to identify the originating location, but it also helps other folks in the facility learn that there is an organization they can reach out to for reading material. 

Each facility has different stipulations to the packages received. Some allow magazines, while others do not, while some allow only National Geographic. Some do not allow hardcover books. All books must be in at least decent condition, and some allow only good condition. Puzzle, drawing and prompt writing books are popular, but low in stock (if you have them, donate them). 

A full series of a book, ala Harry Potter or Twilight, can be requested, so think about what you're willing to part with when you donate just book two of a series. 

Law textbooks and dictionaries are in demand. 

Overall, the amount of work is more substantial than even I could have guessed. Books Through Bars creates a service that helps people in the lowest part of their life to build confidence that they will be a productive member of society, and reminds them that they are still valuable as human beings. 

How you can help: Find an ever-changing list of what book topics are in demand on their website, as well as information on volunteer training and correspondence opportunities. Make sure that what you're donating has a use, and if not, consider other mutual aid groups that might be able to use those donations.