Voices of the Incarcerated - Appalachian Prison Book Project

While the incarcerated have a wide network of advocates and supporters to speak up for them during times when their voices most need to be heard, often the most powerful and compelling voices come from the inside. For many incarcerated persons, lack of a consistent, quality education helped create the conditions that led to their incarceration, and the ability to access and use educational resources during their time in prison is a strong indicator of their success upon community release.

Building the confidence that's gained through education factors directly into the ability to become their strongest advocates. This starts with the access to quality reading materials. The Appalachian Prison Book Project sends free books to people imprisoned in six Appalachian states (West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Maryland), hosts book clubs inside prisons in the region, and is leading an effort to bring for-credit college courses into prison.

Their mission is borne from two interconnected premises: education is a basic human right, and engaging the community in educational justice efforts is a requisite component to building sustainable restorative justice models.

Since 2004,

• They have mailed over 50,000 books.
• 100 imprisoned people (75 women, 25 men) and 27 volunteers have participated in our book clubs.
• 30 incarcerated students have earned WVU college credit.
• They've hosted 25+ wrapping parties for community volunteer groups.

Rather than take our word praising the work this unique and extraordinary non-profit is doing, hear from the beneficiaries themselves.

“I was rather unenergetic this afternoon. The preparations for my creative writing class were going well, but I needed a boost; your extraordinary gift of the book The Writer’s Way by Sara Maitland arrived and my day is brighter, the class will be stronger, and your legacy of helpfulness endures.” — Incarcerated in West Virginia

“Thank you so much for all you have done for me. Because of your book program sending me Michie’s West Virginia Code Annotated,” I was able to litigate an amended sentence order from life without parole to eligibility for parole after serving 15 years. In other words, you helped save my life.” — Incarcerated in Mt. Olive, West Virginia

“I just received the dictionary I requested and ‘classic’ Hamlet you guys sent. Thanks for always being there 2 assist with the growth of my continued consciousness. Please never feel unappreciated in the job you do for those like myself. Yes, I was a hard headed child when I left the ‘free’ world, but a child nonetheless, so thank you for equipping me with the knowledge 2 grow as a man.” — Incarcerated in Cumberland, Maryland

“I received the Tom Clancey book that you sent to me and I want to take this time to thank you so very much for sending it to me. I really love these types of books with the intrigue and the action and so forth . . . As before, when I am finished with this book, I will donate it to the compound library where everyone here will have the opportunity to enjoy it as much as I do.” — Incarcerated in Clifton, Tennessee

Visit Appalachian Prison Book Project at their website to read more about their ongoing projects and goals to challenge mass incarceration through books, education, and community engagement.