Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
@appalachianpbp.bsky.social
We send free books and provide educational opportunities to people incarcerated in Appalachia. 📖 https://appalachianprisonbookproject.org
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Welcome, new followers!
APBP is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization based in Morgantown, WV that sends free books and provides educational opportunities to people incarcerated in Appalachia.
Here's how you can support our work.
APBP is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization based in Morgantown, WV that sends free books and provides educational opportunities to people incarcerated in Appalachia.
Here's how you can support our work.
We have a book request from an incarcerated reader we're trying to fill.
Erick in Maryland wants an English-Hebrew Bible. 📖
Can you help by donating a paperback copy? Mailing info below. 👇
Erick in Maryland wants an English-Hebrew Bible. 📖
Can you help by donating a paperback copy? Mailing info below. 👇
December 26, 2025 at 9:40 PM
We have a book request from an incarcerated reader we're trying to fill.
Erick in Maryland wants an English-Hebrew Bible. 📖
Can you help by donating a paperback copy? Mailing info below. 👇
Erick in Maryland wants an English-Hebrew Bible. 📖
Can you help by donating a paperback copy? Mailing info below. 👇
We hope you all have a happy holiday season.
This time of year, we are thinking of our friends behind bars and how they spend the holidays. Here’s a roundup of @prisonjournalism.bsky.social writers sharing a bit about what it’s like:
This time of year, we are thinking of our friends behind bars and how they spend the holidays. Here’s a roundup of @prisonjournalism.bsky.social writers sharing a bit about what it’s like:
What Are the Holidays Like Behind Bars?
Here’s what people inside had to say.
prisonjournalismproject.org
December 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
We hope you all have a happy holiday season.
This time of year, we are thinking of our friends behind bars and how they spend the holidays. Here’s a roundup of @prisonjournalism.bsky.social writers sharing a bit about what it’s like:
This time of year, we are thinking of our friends behind bars and how they spend the holidays. Here’s a roundup of @prisonjournalism.bsky.social writers sharing a bit about what it’s like:
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
Williams's essay is in 'This Book Is Free and Yours to Keep' by @appalachianpbp.bsky.social @wvupress.bsky.social — recommended by IEMI's Corinne Shanahan in our Year in Books list as "A read for anyone who has ever loved a book."
The Year in Books - Inquest
Inquest staff recommendations of not-to-be-missed decarceral books from 2025.
inquest.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Williams's essay is in 'This Book Is Free and Yours to Keep' by @appalachianpbp.bsky.social @wvupress.bsky.social — recommended by IEMI's Corinne Shanahan in our Year in Books list as "A read for anyone who has ever loved a book."
From a reader incarcerated in WV: "It is a special thing y'all are doing by giving people books who need them."
We agree. ❤️
We agree. ❤️
December 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
From a reader incarcerated in WV: "It is a special thing y'all are doing by giving people books who need them."
We agree. ❤️
We agree. ❤️
Looking for a last-minute holiday gift? 👀
The APBP book is 25% off with code HOLIDAY25 at @WVUPRESS for the rest of the month!
Grab a copy here: wvupressonline.com/This-Book-Is...
The APBP book is 25% off with code HOLIDAY25 at @WVUPRESS for the rest of the month!
Grab a copy here: wvupressonline.com/This-Book-Is...
HOLIDAY25 is still active through December 31st! Order (and preorder) your books now!
wvupressonline.com
wvupressonline.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Looking for a last-minute holiday gift? 👀
The APBP book is 25% off with code HOLIDAY25 at @WVUPRESS for the rest of the month!
Grab a copy here: wvupressonline.com/This-Book-Is...
The APBP book is 25% off with code HOLIDAY25 at @WVUPRESS for the rest of the month!
Grab a copy here: wvupressonline.com/This-Book-Is...
Shout out to all who braved the dire weather predictions and made it to our holiday wrapping party last weekend! Close to 30 folks showed up and prepped 250+ books to send for the holidays. And had a good time doing it!
We're so grateful to you all. ❄️
We're so grateful to you all. ❄️
December 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Shout out to all who braved the dire weather predictions and made it to our holiday wrapping party last weekend! Close to 30 folks showed up and prepped 250+ books to send for the holidays. And had a good time doing it!
We're so grateful to you all. ❄️
We're so grateful to you all. ❄️
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
PJP contributors asked people in their prisons what their holidays are like. Here’s what they said.
What Are the Holidays Like Behind Bars?
Here’s what people inside had to say.
prisonjournalismproject.org
December 15, 2025 at 6:40 PM
PJP contributors asked people in their prisons what their holidays are like. Here’s what they said.
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
“In my 20 years of incarceration, I’ve been strip-searched at least 500 times,” writes Carla J. Simmons in this powerful essay for @prismreports.org. “Early on, I found that in order to endure strip searches, it was necessary for me to detach myself from what was happening to my body.”
How ‘routine’ strip searches traumatize people in U.S. prisons
In my 20 years of incarceration, I’ve been strip-searched at least 500 times. Each was an act of humiliation and sexual violence
prismreports.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:44 PM
“In my 20 years of incarceration, I’ve been strip-searched at least 500 times,” writes Carla J. Simmons in this powerful essay for @prismreports.org. “Early on, I found that in order to endure strip searches, it was necessary for me to detach myself from what was happening to my body.”
We’re all set up for the holiday wrapping party! Join us if your roads are safe to drive on. ❄️
P. S. There will be cookies.
P. S. There will be cookies.
December 13, 2025 at 5:54 PM
We’re all set up for the holiday wrapping party! Join us if your roads are safe to drive on. ❄️
P. S. There will be cookies.
P. S. There will be cookies.
Hey, WVU friends: Looking for a new book? Need a holiday present? 📚🎁
Mountaineers for Literacy and Liberation, APBP’s student org, is hosting a book sale this Friday.
They’ll be set up at the Mountainlair on December 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. All proceeds will be donated to APBP! ❤️
Mountaineers for Literacy and Liberation, APBP’s student org, is hosting a book sale this Friday.
They’ll be set up at the Mountainlair on December 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. All proceeds will be donated to APBP! ❤️
December 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Hey, WVU friends: Looking for a new book? Need a holiday present? 📚🎁
Mountaineers for Literacy and Liberation, APBP’s student org, is hosting a book sale this Friday.
They’ll be set up at the Mountainlair on December 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. All proceeds will be donated to APBP! ❤️
Mountaineers for Literacy and Liberation, APBP’s student org, is hosting a book sale this Friday.
They’ll be set up at the Mountainlair on December 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. All proceeds will be donated to APBP! ❤️
We're proud to share that APBP has received the 2025 Human Rights Advocacy Award from the Morgantown Human Rights Commission! 🎉 Thanks to our president, Connie Banta (left), for speaking so beautifully at the ceremony.
Read more about the award: www.dominionpost.com/2025/12/06/n...
Read more about the award: www.dominionpost.com/2025/12/06/n...
December 9, 2025 at 10:25 PM
We're proud to share that APBP has received the 2025 Human Rights Advocacy Award from the Morgantown Human Rights Commission! 🎉 Thanks to our president, Connie Banta (left), for speaking so beautifully at the ceremony.
Read more about the award: www.dominionpost.com/2025/12/06/n...
Read more about the award: www.dominionpost.com/2025/12/06/n...
Attention Morgantown, WV folks: Mark your calendars for our holiday wrapping party! ✉️📚📦
Join us at First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown on Saturday, December 13. Stop by anytime between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm EST.
Snacks and holiday cheer provided. Bring your friends!
Join us at First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown on Saturday, December 13. Stop by anytime between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm EST.
Snacks and holiday cheer provided. Bring your friends!
December 7, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Attention Morgantown, WV folks: Mark your calendars for our holiday wrapping party! ✉️📚📦
Join us at First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown on Saturday, December 13. Stop by anytime between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm EST.
Snacks and holiday cheer provided. Bring your friends!
Join us at First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown on Saturday, December 13. Stop by anytime between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm EST.
Snacks and holiday cheer provided. Bring your friends!
It’s the last day to support our Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader fundraiser! 📖
With each $10 donation, you can send a book and note of holiday cheer to someone imprisoned in Appalachia.
Get the details:
With each $10 donation, you can send a book and note of holiday cheer to someone imprisoned in Appalachia.
Get the details:
Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader
Help us send books to people in prison.
appalachianprisonbookproject.org
December 6, 2025 at 8:55 PM
It’s the last day to support our Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader fundraiser! 📖
With each $10 donation, you can send a book and note of holiday cheer to someone imprisoned in Appalachia.
Get the details:
With each $10 donation, you can send a book and note of holiday cheer to someone imprisoned in Appalachia.
Get the details:
If you’re looking for an affordable and impactful (and easy!) gift for your friends, family members, coworkers, or acquaintances this holiday season, look no further. We’ve got you covered. 🎁
For $10, you can donate a book to an incarcerated reader in their name.
Sounds like a great gift to us. 🙌
For $10, you can donate a book to an incarcerated reader in their name.
Sounds like a great gift to us. 🙌
Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader
Help us send books to people in prison.
appalachianprisonbookproject.org
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
If you’re looking for an affordable and impactful (and easy!) gift for your friends, family members, coworkers, or acquaintances this holiday season, look no further. We’ve got you covered. 🎁
For $10, you can donate a book to an incarcerated reader in their name.
Sounds like a great gift to us. 🙌
For $10, you can donate a book to an incarcerated reader in their name.
Sounds like a great gift to us. 🙌
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
"The Braille program is difficult to get into. It only has 19 available positions, with four of those reserved for new trainees. The other 15 are given to people who have received their Braille certification from the Library of Congress."
No prison job has ever stimulated me as much as Braille transcriber.
How I Learned to Transcribe Braille in Prison
Braille books, business cards and tactile maps are often crafted in prisons throughout the U.S. The job is more fun than most prison work.
prisonjournalismproject.org
December 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"The Braille program is difficult to get into. It only has 19 available positions, with four of those reserved for new trainees. The other 15 are given to people who have received their Braille certification from the Library of Congress."
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
"Our lives are not entertainment." Formerly incarcerated NYC organizer Vidal Guzman on how carceral reality TV steals vulnerable people's stories
The Prison Spectacle - Vidal Guzman - Inquest
How reality TV turns incarceration into entertainment—and helps strengthen the very systems of violence it claims to expose.
inquest.org
December 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM
"Our lives are not entertainment." Formerly incarcerated NYC organizer Vidal Guzman on how carceral reality TV steals vulnerable people's stories
We've received lots of messages to send to people in prison, from a warm “Sending you strength, light, and moments of calm” to a cheerful “Hope this book creates a bright spot in your day!”
From now until Dec. 6, you can donate $10 to send a book and a note to someone behind bars, too. 👇
From now until Dec. 6, you can donate $10 to send a book and a note to someone behind bars, too. 👇
It’s #GivingTuesday! From now until December 6, take part in our Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader fundraiser. With every $10 donation, we'll send a book to someone imprisoned in Appalachia and include a note of your choice.
Learn more: appalachianprisonbookproject.org/sponsor-an-i...
Learn more: appalachianprisonbookproject.org/sponsor-an-i...
Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader
Help us send books to people in prison.
appalachianprisonbookproject.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
We've received lots of messages to send to people in prison, from a warm “Sending you strength, light, and moments of calm” to a cheerful “Hope this book creates a bright spot in your day!”
From now until Dec. 6, you can donate $10 to send a book and a note to someone behind bars, too. 👇
From now until Dec. 6, you can donate $10 to send a book and a note to someone behind bars, too. 👇
When our volunteers mail a book to someone in prison, we encourage them to write a note to send along with the package. Now, it’s your turn to send a holiday message to people on the inside!
With a $10 donation, you can send an encouraging note (along with a book!) to a reader behind bars. 📖
With a $10 donation, you can send an encouraging note (along with a book!) to a reader behind bars. 📖
Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader
Help us send books to people in prison.
appalachianprisonbookproject.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
When our volunteers mail a book to someone in prison, we encourage them to write a note to send along with the package. Now, it’s your turn to send a holiday message to people on the inside!
With a $10 donation, you can send an encouraging note (along with a book!) to a reader behind bars. 📖
With a $10 donation, you can send an encouraging note (along with a book!) to a reader behind bars. 📖
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
Just a $10 donation makes a tangible difference in the life of an incarcerated reader.
It’s tough out there. We all need to spread a little joy. I hope you’ll consider donating. ❤️
It’s tough out there. We all need to spread a little joy. I hope you’ll consider donating. ❤️
It’s #GivingTuesday! From now until December 6, take part in our Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader fundraiser. With every $10 donation, we'll send a book to someone imprisoned in Appalachia and include a note of your choice.
Learn more: appalachianprisonbookproject.org/sponsor-an-i...
Learn more: appalachianprisonbookproject.org/sponsor-an-i...
Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader
Help us send books to people in prison.
appalachianprisonbookproject.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Just a $10 donation makes a tangible difference in the life of an incarcerated reader.
It’s tough out there. We all need to spread a little joy. I hope you’ll consider donating. ❤️
It’s tough out there. We all need to spread a little joy. I hope you’ll consider donating. ❤️
It’s #GivingTuesday! From now until December 6, take part in our Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader fundraiser. With every $10 donation, we'll send a book to someone imprisoned in Appalachia and include a note of your choice.
Learn more: appalachianprisonbookproject.org/sponsor-an-i...
Learn more: appalachianprisonbookproject.org/sponsor-an-i...
Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader
Help us send books to people in prison.
appalachianprisonbookproject.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:34 PM
It’s #GivingTuesday! From now until December 6, take part in our Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader fundraiser. With every $10 donation, we'll send a book to someone imprisoned in Appalachia and include a note of your choice.
Learn more: appalachianprisonbookproject.org/sponsor-an-i...
Learn more: appalachianprisonbookproject.org/sponsor-an-i...
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
Let's talk turkey: After months of targeting incarcerated people who received commutations from Biden, Pres. Trump pardoned 2 turkeys today.
Sparing a turkey while supporting the death penalty and punishing people for no longer being on death row is no act of festive goodwill.
Sparing a turkey while supporting the death penalty and punishing people for no longer being on death row is no act of festive goodwill.
November 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Let's talk turkey: After months of targeting incarcerated people who received commutations from Biden, Pres. Trump pardoned 2 turkeys today.
Sparing a turkey while supporting the death penalty and punishing people for no longer being on death row is no act of festive goodwill.
Sparing a turkey while supporting the death penalty and punishing people for no longer being on death row is no act of festive goodwill.
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
"I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass one day. I was left without adequate words to describe that experience. It reminded me that I am alive."
When Kittens Came to My Prison, I Had Not Petted One in 15 Years
I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass.
prisonjournalismproject.org
January 31, 2025 at 3:32 AM
"I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass one day. I was left without adequate words to describe that experience. It reminded me that I am alive."
“Over the years, you guys have given me math, physics, and also school books to help with my GED. I also want you to know that because of all of your help, I was able to keep a 28-year-old promise to my dad.”
Read the rest of the letter below. 👇
Read the rest of the letter below. 👇
We received a stunning letter (with something special attached) this week from a man incarcerated in Virginia. We want to share it with you all.
Tldr: Books change lives. BOOKS CHANGE LIVES. And we couldn’t have helped this scholar without you. Thank you for your support.
Tldr: Books change lives. BOOKS CHANGE LIVES. And we couldn’t have helped this scholar without you. Thank you for your support.
November 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
“Over the years, you guys have given me math, physics, and also school books to help with my GED. I also want you to know that because of all of your help, I was able to keep a 28-year-old promise to my dad.”
Read the rest of the letter below. 👇
Read the rest of the letter below. 👇
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
While U.S. families struggle through an affordability crisis, mass incarceration still costs taxpayers $182 billion a year.
That's a lot of money that could be spent on communities instead of cages.
That's a lot of money that could be spent on communities instead of cages.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
While U.S. families struggle through an affordability crisis, mass incarceration still costs taxpayers $182 billion a year.
That's a lot of money that could be spent on communities instead of cages.
That's a lot of money that could be spent on communities instead of cages.
Reposted by Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP)
Books change lives. ❤️
We received a stunning letter (with something special attached) this week from a man incarcerated in Virginia. We want to share it with you all.
Tldr: Books change lives. BOOKS CHANGE LIVES. And we couldn’t have helped this scholar without you. Thank you for your support.
Tldr: Books change lives. BOOKS CHANGE LIVES. And we couldn’t have helped this scholar without you. Thank you for your support.
November 22, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Books change lives. ❤️