Hi all I've been doing some surfing and found some nice things. I know the guys where I'm at love to read and do so tons and never have enough to read. I found these addy's of a couple of places that will send FREE books to inmates (at the inmates written request).
For a free copy of "Houses of Healing : A Prisoner's Guide to Inner Power and Freedom"
have your pp write to
The Lionheart Foundation
PO Box 194 Back Bay
Boston, MA 02117
It's a self help book written to and for prisoners available in English and Spanish. If you would like to read the intro of the book go to http://www.lionheart.org/prison_prog/Introduction.html
I read that and it sounds really good. Helps with emotional healing and dealing with stress in prison life.
Also this group will send reading material to any inmate that requests it. They get donations and things from publishers and libraries of a wide variety of things.
The address for your pp to write is
The Prison Library Project
915 W. Foothill Blvd.
PMD 128
Claremont, CA 91711

I'm a firm believer that reading enriches the mind and soul. You learn something everytime you read something. Many prisoners are striving to broaden their minds and learn. Or just keep their mind active. Hope someone finds this useful.

Thank you so much,I will check it out.
I also think that reading is a very important part of our lifes.

Prison libraries are not as a rule well stocked and I have found that in sending books to the 7 I write to I try to send a collection that is fun to read and that can be passed around to others as they are finished with them. I have found that fiction works best. Feel good books are not real high on the list of what most inmates want to receive.

I'll jump in on this topic. Books can be a great gift to send. But be sure your prisoner can accept them. Most can only be mailed softbound books from a bookseller address only. I can recommend going to Amazon.com and search for used paperbacks. I can often send a used paperback for anywhere from $3 to $6. That's pretty cheap! And boy are they appreciated! Thanks all and God bless you fine folks!

Texas allows soft and hardback books, but books have to come from an approved vendor. If you are lucky enough to live close to a "Half Price Books, Records, and Tapes" store they are an approved vendor for Texas prisons.

Does anyone know if the books have to come from an American bookstore or could I also instruct an Austrian bookstore to send a book?

Marita

I sent my pp in California a little dictionary on Aussie slang words. He got a good laugh out of that. Then he started using words he learnt out of that book in his letters to me, which gave me a good laugh too.

Hi Marita, Each prison has their own rules so it would be best if you asked your guy what he thought. But my guess would be as long as it's a paperback, I can't see why there'd be any reason why there would be an issue about it coming from another country. But that's just a guess!