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Prisoners Literature Project

@prisonerlitproj.bsky.social
164 followers 32 following 55 posts

The Prisoners Literature Project is an inclusive, all-volunteer, grassroots nonprofit whose purpose is to encourage reading, the pursuit of knowledge, and self-determination among incarcerated people in the U.S. prisonlit.org

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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Thank you so much to @torbooks.bsky.social (and its various labels) for donating so many wonderful sci-fi, fantasy, romantasy and other genre fiction to PLP. (We can't wait to send it all to incarcerated folks looking for great new reads!)
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Big thanks to @pegasusbooks.bsky.social on College Ave. in Oakland for putting a PLP display out and having their customers buy these great books for us to pass along to incarcerated people for free!
Books donated from Pegasus Books in Oakland.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Thanks to @berkeleyside.org for writing this great piece on the PLP and our mission: www.berkeleyside.org/2026/07/02/b...
berkeleyside.org
Berkeley’s Prisoners Literature Project has been mailing books to inmates for 4 decades
Hundreds of volunteers working out of a small Berkeley office send around 30,000 books each year to people incarcerated across the country.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
We have several shelves devoted to Adventure and Travel. These books allow readers to encounter countries and cultures without leaving their cells. So many great stories to appreciate!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
A nice note: "I really appreciate your time, effort, consideration and thoughtfulness in providing relief from the horrible reality of prison and hope to hear from you soon."
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
This is a request that we were able to fulfill with the books shown due to all the great book donations from kind people! Our matching grant opportunity continues through May 2nd! For every dollar spent on books we get a dollar to help with postage! www.prisonlit.org/matching-gra...
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
It's Independent Bookstore Day - PLP can benefit from a matching grant available for one week! Bookstore wishlists available www.prisonlit.org/donate/#BuyB... Books purchased at the local bookstores listed below also matched!. #PrisonBooksWishlists #IndieBookstoreDay #IncarceratedReaders
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Thanks so much, Eve and Noe Valley Books for your generosity!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Someone writing from a California jail wanted to read "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The jail allows NEW books only and the volunteer was so pleased to find one NEW copy on hand. Donors and bookstore partners make these matches possible!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
This happened at a book packing session last week. We love this!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Many, many thanks to the volunteers, donors and bookstore partners who helped PLP in our extensive efforts to get books to incarcerated readers in 2025. Our all-volunteer organization is sustained by your donations: www.prisonlit.org/donate/
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
The note says it all.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Our #GivingTuesday campaign is live - mailchi.mp/prisonlit/pl... - all donations matched up to $3,000, help us send more books to incarcerated folks!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Our #GivingTuesday campaign is live - mailchi.mp/prisonlit/pl... - all donations matched up to $3,000, help us send more books to incarcerated folks!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
We're giving thanks for all the appreciative letters we receive from readers. It's also great to hear about programs and classes that are sometimes offered to incarcerated learners behind bars.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
PLP frequently receives requests for comic books, but they are very expensive to buy. When local collector Rick Clogher heard about this, he donated two boxes of beautiful comic books, in perfect condition. We know they will bring a lot of joy!
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Oldster @oldster.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
We Can’t Forget People Experiencing Incarceration in Our Fight for Readers’ Rights: Book Censorship News, September 19, 2025 bookriot.com/books-to-pri...
bookriot.com
We Can't Forget People Experiencing Incarceration in Our Fight for Readers' Rights: Book Censorship News, September 19, 2025
The state of book bans and censorship in American prisons. Where and how advocates can change this rampant First Amendment violation.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
A volunteer opened this thank you letter. Spanish reads: Thank you for the books, and thanks to God for touching your hearts to help people who are prisoners... May God bless all of you for your great help, and He will reward you. May God’s peace be with all of you."
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Several times a semester we host a session for local high school seniors who are taking a social justice class. This time we squeezed eleven students into our space. These students have already visited two prisons in CA (San Quentin and Chowchilla Women's Prison).
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
In answer to his question, yes, we send free books, lots of them each month. It is our honor to help free the minds of incarcerated people through reading.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Please consider supporting some of our favorite local indie bookstores during Banned Books Week! Any books purchased will be matched by a generous foundation grant. All wishlists available: linktr.ee/prisonlitproject or: www.prisonlit.org/donate/#BuyB... #prisonbookswishlist #BannedBooksWeek
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Thanks to donors, we have a range of interesting titles that we're able to send to people in prison. As the letter says: "I want to thank you for the books you’ve sent previously, always great selections. I’d love to be sent African, African-American, Native American and Indigenous history."
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
As an all-volunteer organization we rely on each other to enhance and expand our efforts. One volunteer decided we should stock kids books and now we do! Incarcerated people write to us asking for these books so they can read them over the phone to their kids or during in-person visits. 😍
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Yes, books are transporting and a connection to the world outside a cell. PLP sent him several books along with a note saying we are so glad he got in touch with our program.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
This letter sent to PLP goes on to say: "I'm very thankful for the materials that you send and I share my books when I'm done with them. LOL. I've already passed on the history book "Bad Day in History' to my buddy that loves trivia."
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
We are so pleased that our selection of books in Spanish has expanded to include a range of titles in popular genres like horror, fantasy and classics. Thanks to Pegasus Books in particular for researching and ordering these often hard to find Spanish-language books!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Books about Aztec/Mayan culture are a common request... It’s hard to source these books at an affordable price with "acceptable" pictures. However, PLP recently started stocking “Aztec” , a historical fantasy which offers “rich insight into their society.” We've also ordered the book in Spanish!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
PLP's library has moved to a larger space! Check out this video that documents the move. Volunteer power! More room, more shelves, more books available to send out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXrN... (Also, we've revised our website. Check out the new look at prisonlit.org .)
youtube.com
PLP library's new location!
YouTube video by Prisoners Literature Project
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
A happy volunteer finds the exact book requested by this incarcerated reader. We get a lot of great books like this donated from our wish lists, bookstore partners, volunteers, authors, publishers, estates and more. Thank you! (Thanks also to volunteer A.J. for another video!)
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
We are in awe of the generosity of the many people who purchased books for incarcerated readers during the recent matching grant opportunity in honor of Indie bookstores. The total was over 330 books ($5,400)! Thank you, thank you all!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
We're excited when a new bookstore partner joins us. You can also order books for PLP via the Books Inc. wishlist: booksinc.net/prisoners-li.... (Purchases matched through May 5th). Thanks to Books Inc. for hosting PLP displays at stores in: Alameda, Mountain View, Palo Alto and San Leandro!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
PLP still has a matching grant opportunity through Monday, May 5th! It's a great time to stop by one of our book partners Cape & Cowl Comics & purchase a title for someone behind bars: Cape & Cowl Comics, 1601 Clay Street, Oakland, CA #PrisonBooksWishlists #IncarceratedReaders #ShopIndieBookstores
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
[Book requests from prisoners] remind us that reading, at its core, isn’t about cultural capital or carceral control. It’s about maintaining our essential human right to imagine differently, to choose freely, and to find joy in our own way, even within confinement. #MustRead
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Learning prison regulations felt like studying for a degree in carceral bureaucracy. Behind every rejection lurked an institutional paranoia: hidden messages, drugs or seeds of discontent that might blossom into unrest concealed within innocent pages. Must-read! lareviewofbooks.org/article/read...
lareviewofbooks.org
Reading Behind Bars, and Beyond Barriers | Los Angeles Review of Books
Jackie Snow reflects on what working for a books-to-prisons nonprofit has taught her about reading.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Our favorite day of the year has arrived! It's Independent Bookstore Day! Stop by these partner stores : --Pegasus stores in Berkeley --Cape & Cowl Comics in Oakland --East Bay Booksellers in Berkeley --Books Inc in Alameda Buy a book for PLP and join in on the festivities! Book lovers unite!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Tomorrow is Independent Bookstore Day! We would so appreciate your support via a book purchase for PLP. The dollar amount will be doubled! Shop one of our wish lists at: www.prisonlit.org/donate/#BuyB... #PrisonBooksWishlists #IndieBookstoreDay #IncarceratedReaders
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Last month the Prisoners Literature Project book club read "We Could Be So Good" and enjoyed it very much! PLP reached out to award winning author Cat Sebastian - catsebastian.com - and she very kindly sent us some of her books. We think these books will be adored by incarcerated readers.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Book inventory varies over time... so it's a special thrill when a less common request (like a Beatles book) comes in and we have a great matching book to send in response to the letter.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
It's a really good day when PLP receives two big boxes of books in support of our efforts. We are grateful to our bookstore partner The Best Book Store In Palm Springs (Palm Springs, CA!) for continuing to send books up north to us! More prisons are requiring new books so these are so useful to us!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
A simple statement and so inspiring for our efforts.
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East Bay Booksellers @ebbooksellers.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Very excited to announce we're back in a position to fulfill Prisoners Literature Project Wish List orders (@prisonerlitproj.bsky.social). In addition to the books purchased, we will donate 25% of the sale directly back to PLP. ebbooksellers.com/support-the-...
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Thank you letters like these keep us going during uncertain times. Such a pleasure to have proof that books end up in the hands of incarcerated readers :-) See many more letters on our website: www.prisonlit.org/category/pri...
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Many thanks to Banter Bookshop in Fremont, CA for continuing to host a PLP display at the store. Recently, people purchased books for incarcerated readers including some of our favorites, pictured within!
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
In point of fact, here's where the contraband in prisons is coming from: www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
jsonline.com
More Waupun prison staffers fired, resigned amid federal probe into alleged smuggling ring
The federal Department of Justice investigation began after a sweep at Waupun uncovered cell phones, drugs and other contraband.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
More bad news: More states are jumping on the bandwagon and barring free books-to-prisoners programs like ours. Their claims of contraband are just a baseless ruse. @npr.org has to the story: www.npr.org/2025/02/12/n...
npr.org
Several states barring nonprofit network from sending free books to prisoners
Several states, including Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee, have barred groups from sending free books to prisoners, citing fears of contraband. Advocates say that is not a cause for concern.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
We are inspired by the last line of this letter to solicit recommendations of historical fiction books for all reading levels. He requests books by Wilbur Smith. We frequently get requests for books by Smith, Ken Follett, Bernard Cornwell, etc.
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Since we're usually answering letters received the previous month there are a lot of holiday good wishes in January including this one: "When I draw I escape this prison..."
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
We're sorry to hear Books Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 - www.facebook.com/story.php?st... - and sad that the 1491 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley store is closing. (We still have a PLP wishlist online at BI - booksinc.net/wishlist/jav... - and displays at many other stores.)
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
Many thanks to SF's @sourcherrycomics.bsky.social for their kind donation of graphic novels, individual issues & other books to PLP. (They'll all be sent for free to grateful, incarcerated folks!)
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Prisoners Literature Project @prisonerlitproj.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
A new year, and more opportunities to send out books and personal notes to incarcerated people. Thanks to Tor Books for donating several boxes of "Eye of the World" and to Taran Matharu for writing "The Novice", which greatly engaged this reader behind bars.
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