The provision of free books and educational resources to incarcerated individuals is a well-established area of charitable activity, primarily managed by non-profit organisations and volunteer-driven projects. These initiatives focus on delivering literature, study guides, and reference materials to people in prisons and jails, operating through mail-in requests and donation-based systems. The available information details several key programmes, their operational models, the types of resources offered, and the eligibility criteria for accessing these materials. While these programmes are not commercial free samples in the traditional sense, they represent a critical form of free resource distribution for a specific demographic, with processes and requirements that parallel other mail-in sample programmes.
Overview of Key Programmes and Their Operations
Several organisations are documented as providing free books and resources to incarcerated individuals. Each operates with a distinct focus, scope, and set of procedures.
Books to Prisoners (BTP) Sponsored by Left Bank Books, the Books to Prisoners programme provides free literature to prisoners across the United States. The project receives over 700 requests each month and attempts to send one to three books per request. It operates wholly on donations to cover operational costs and is in constant demand for both financial support and book donations. BTP has a specific need for dictionaries, Black studies, Latino history, self-help legal books, and titles written in Spanish. A strict policy is enforced: only paperback books can be sent to prisons, and hardbacks are not accepted. Donations, referrals, and grant tips are always appreciated.
HumanKindness Foundation (HKF) The HumanKindness Foundation provides free books and newsletters to incarcerated individuals and prison or jail staff members. They also send free books in bulk to facilities in the U.S. for use in libraries or programmes. To request books, individuals must send a complete name and mailing address to a specified email address. HKF has adapted to technological changes, making most of its materials available through the Edovo app. This platform is used in over 1,200 facilities, serving more than 970,000 residents, and includes books, newsletters, audio, and video content.
Prisoners Literature Project (PLP) Run by The Claremont Forum, the Prison Library Project (PLP) is a volunteer-driven programme that mails books and educational resources to incarcerated individuals nationwide. Since 1985, it has mailed nearly a million books. PLP established an Anti-Censorship team to address restrictions imposed by prisons on book shipments. In 2025, the project sent over 15,000 packages containing more than 45,000 books and held over 260 book packing sessions, contributing over 6,000 volunteer hours. The project relies solely on donations, including a matching funds campaign for Giving Tuesday. It also purchases resources such as dictionaries, Spanish-English dictionaries, ESL resources, and GED study guides. PLP works with local high school students for volunteer packing sessions.
Prison Book Program This programme serves most federal and state facilities in all 50 states, with a notable exception: as of January 2025, it does not serve local or state facilities in Texas, Michigan, or California. An online book request form is available for use by incarcerated individuals or their family and friends. The programme encourages requests for genres rather than specific titles, as their inventory depends on donations. They cannot guarantee a specific title will be in stock. Their most popular requests are dictionaries, with over 3,000 sent annually. Other popular titles include thesauri, small business startup guides, drawing books, exercise books, fiction, and religious materials. Books are used for writing letters, legal appeals, and improving literacy. The programme also offers a self-published legal reference, a resource list of organisations that help prisoners, and other booklets on frequently requested topics.
Eligibility, Request Processes, and Restrictions
Access to these free resources is governed by specific rules and procedures, which are essential for individuals seeking to request materials or support these programmes.
Eligibility and Service Areas - General Eligibility: These programmes are designed for incarcerated individuals in prisons and jails across the United States. Some programmes, like HKF, also extend free resources to prison and jail staff. - Geographic Restrictions: The Prison Book Program explicitly does not serve facilities in Texas, Michigan, or California as of January 2025. Other programmes, such as BTP and PLP, aim to serve individuals nationwide, but acceptance is ultimately determined by individual facility policies. - Facility-Level Restrictions: Even when a programme serves a state or federal system, individual prisons or jails may have policies that prohibit accepting books from external organisations. Applicants are advised to check their facility’s specific rules.
Request Methods - Direct Request by Incarcerated Individuals: Most programmes accept requests directly from the incarcerated person. This typically involves sending a letter with a complete name and mailing address. For example, HKF requires this information to be sent via email. The Prison Book Program offers an online request form that can be used by the individual. - Request by Third Parties: Some programmes allow family or friends to request books on behalf of an incarcerated person. The Prison Book Program’s online form can be used for this purpose. However, it is noted that one cannot provide a specific book to be sent; the programme selects books based on donated inventory. - Genre vs. Specific Title Requests: Programmes like the Prison Book Program encourage requests for genres (e.g., fiction, religion) rather than specific titles, as their stock varies with donations. They cannot guarantee a particular book will be sent.
Material Restrictions and Policies - Book Format: BTP strictly requires paperback books and does not accept hardbacks. - Content Focus: Programmes often seek specific types of books due to high demand or donor availability. BTP specifically needs dictionaries, Black studies, Latino history, legal books, and Spanish-language titles. PLP purchases dictionaries, ESL resources, and GED study guides. - Electronic Resources: HKF has expanded to provide materials via the Edovo app, which is installed in many correctional facilities. This offers an alternative to physical mail for those in participating facilities.
Types of Resources Provided
The resources offered go beyond standard novels and include educational and practical materials tailored to the needs of incarcerated individuals.
Core Book Offerings - Educational and Reference Materials: Dictionaries are the most requested item across multiple programmes, with thousands sent annually. Thesauri, GED study guides, and ESL resources are also frequently provided to support literacy and education. - General Interest Books: Fiction of all genres, religion, self-help, and books on drawing and exercise are popular. The Prison Book Program notes that reading interests generally mirror those of the general public. - Specialised Topics: BTP seeks books on Black studies, Latino history, and legal self-help. PLP purchases books that "uplift, encourage, and support" those in prison.
Supplementary Materials - Newsletters and Periodicals: HKF provides free newsletters in addition to books. - Legal and Practical Resources: The Prison Book Program offers a self-published legal reference and a resource list of organisations that assist prisoners. PLP’s materials are also available in audio and video formats through Edovo. - Programme-Specific Purchases: PLP allocates funds for purchasing high-demand educational resources, indicating a proactive approach to filling gaps in donated inventory.
Funding, Donations, and Sustainability
These programmes operate on a non-profit, donation-based model, which directly impacts their capacity and the resources they can provide.
Operational Dependencies - Reliance on Donations: All described programmes depend on donations from individuals, publishers, authors, and organisations. BTP, PLP, and the Prison Book Program explicitly state that they rely wholly or solely on donations to cover costs, including postage and book purchases. - Financial Support: PLP runs an annual Giving Tuesday campaign with matching funds to encourage donations. BTP appreciates financial support and grant tips. The Claremont Forum allocates funds for monthly postage and book purchases. - Book Donations: Most books are donated by individuals. Publishers and authors occasionally donate extra copies. Online wish lists are used to solicit new books. Programmes also purchase high-demand items like dictionaries and GED guides in bulk when funds allow.
Volunteer Involvement - Labour-Intensive Operations: PLP relies heavily on volunteers, with over 6,000 hours spent on letter processing and book packing in 2025. This includes partnerships with local high schools for educational volunteering. - Community Engagement: Programmes publicise their services through flyers, media, and word of mouth. The involvement of volunteers is crucial for sorting letters, packing books, and managing administrative tasks.
Challenges and Advocacy
A significant challenge for these programmes is censorship and restrictive facility policies.
Censorship and Access Barriers - Anti-Censorship Efforts: PLP established an Anti-Censorship team in 2025 to push back against tightening restrictions from prisons. Their initial focus is on jails in California that refuse to accept new, high-quality books. - Facility-Level Bans: The Prison Book Program notes that individual facilities may not accept books from their programme, even if the state or federal system is served. This highlights the variability in policies across correctional institutions.
Adaptation to Technology - Digital Expansion: HKF’s use of the Edovo app represents an adaptation to the increasing use of tablets in correctional facilities. This allows them to reach over 970,000 residents across 1,200 facilities, providing a scalable alternative to physical mail.
Conclusion
The distribution of free books and educational resources to incarcerated individuals is a structured, charitable endeavour led by several key organisations. Programmes like Books to Prisoners, HumanKindness Foundation, Prisoners Literature Project, and the Prison Book Program operate through mail-in requests and donation-based funding, providing essential materials such as dictionaries, study guides, and general interest books. Access is subject to specific rules, including geographic and facility-level restrictions, and request processes vary from direct letters to online forms. These initiatives face challenges from censorship and restrictive policies, prompting advocacy efforts and technological adaptation. For UK consumers seeking to understand similar resource programmes, these models illustrate the operational framework of mail-in free resource distribution, emphasising reliance on community donations, volunteer labour, and clear eligibility criteria.