Prisoners Literature Project
@prisonerlitproj.bsky.social
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. http://prisonlit.org
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."
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."
November 12, 2025 at 2:34 AM
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."
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."
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).
These students have already visited two prisons in CA (San Quentin and Chowchilla Women's Prison).
October 19, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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).
These students have already visited two prisons in CA (San Quentin and Chowchilla Women's Prison).
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.
October 8, 2025 at 11:10 PM
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.
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
All wishlists available: linktr.ee/prisonlitproject
or: www.prisonlit.org/donate/#BuyB...
#prisonbookswishlist
#BannedBooksWeek
October 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
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
All wishlists available: linktr.ee/prisonlitproject
or: www.prisonlit.org/donate/#BuyB...
#prisonbookswishlist
#BannedBooksWeek
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."
August 25, 2025 at 12:54 AM
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."
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. 😍
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. 😍
July 15, 2025 at 7:02 PM
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. 😍
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. 😍
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.
July 9, 2025 at 2:34 AM
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.
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."
"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."
June 30, 2025 at 3:31 AM
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."
"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."
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!
Thanks to Pegasus Books in particular for researching and ordering these often hard to find Spanish-language books!
June 11, 2025 at 11:03 PM
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!
Thanks to Pegasus Books in particular for researching and ordering these often hard to find Spanish-language books!
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!
However, PLP recently started stocking “Aztec” , a historical fantasy which offers “rich insight into their society.” We've also ordered the book in Spanish!
June 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
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!
However, PLP recently started stocking “Aztec” , a historical fantasy which offers “rich insight into their society.” We've also ordered the book in Spanish!
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!)
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!)
May 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
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!)
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!)
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!
The total was over 330 books ($5,400)! Thank you, thank you all!
May 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
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!
The total was over 330 books ($5,400)! Thank you, thank you all!
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!
Thanks to Books Inc. for hosting PLP displays at stores in: Alameda, Mountain View, Palo Alto and San Leandro!
May 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
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!
Thanks to Books Inc. for hosting PLP displays at stores in: Alameda, Mountain View, Palo Alto and San Leandro!
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
#PrisonBooksWishlists #IncarceratedReaders #ShopIndieBookstores
May 2, 2025 at 10:19 PM
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
#PrisonBooksWishlists #IncarceratedReaders #ShopIndieBookstores
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!
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!
April 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
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!
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!
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
Shop one of our wish lists at: www.prisonlit.org/donate/#BuyB...
#PrisonBooksWishlists #IndieBookstoreDay #IncarceratedReaders
April 25, 2025 at 3:56 PM
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
Shop one of our wish lists at: www.prisonlit.org/donate/#BuyB...
#PrisonBooksWishlists #IndieBookstoreDay #IncarceratedReaders
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.
April 21, 2025 at 1:53 AM
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.
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.
April 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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.
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!
April 2, 2025 at 3:55 AM
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!
A simple statement and so inspiring for our efforts.
March 28, 2025 at 4:11 AM
A simple statement and so inspiring for our efforts.
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...
See many more letters on our website:
www.prisonlit.org/category/pri...
March 16, 2025 at 11:45 PM
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...
See many more letters on our website:
www.prisonlit.org/category/pri...
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!
March 5, 2025 at 10:22 PM
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!
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.
February 9, 2025 at 10:56 PM
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.
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..."
February 3, 2025 at 8:59 PM
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..."
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.)
January 26, 2025 at 6:53 PM
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.)