General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBeen in prison or know someone who has?
I just created a petition: Director A.T. Wall, Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institution (ACI):
Allow prison book programs to send used books to inmates at RI's ACI;
Because Reading is a Basic Human Right
www.change.org/petitions/because-reading-is-a-basic-human-right
OR ProvidenceBTB.org
It'll just take a minute!
Thanks!!!
On the Road
(20,783 posts)I have tenants and skilled workers with a prison background. It is a huge part of the population which most middle class people are completely blind to (I know I used to be). The social cost is much, much greater than just the time spent behind bars.
I'm glad you're doing this. The whole issue needs more attention.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)We focus a lot on public awareness/education at ProvidenceBTB.org
Lot's of people are unaware like I, too, was at one time.
Thanks for your message and your support
Woody Woodpecker
(562 posts)xrayvision2005
(31 posts)Her's the actual link in case you are able to pass it on:
http://www.change.org/petitions/because-reading-is-a-basic-human-right
Johnny Rico
(1,438 posts)Good cause, though.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)I "knew of" one person who landed in prison then I became the first person that I knew- and it blew my mind.
Thanks for your response and your support
Ilsa
(61,692 posts)Believe it or not, serving a year+ straightened my SIL out. She became a model citizen.
I'd be glad to help.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)Thanks for your support
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)So how can you send books to inmates? My brother was in prison in Florida and I had to go through all kinds of red tape just to send him a few dollars.
We'll send donated books to any inmate in the continental US (except RI!)
email: info@providencebtb.org
website: ProvidenceBTB.org
panader0
(25,816 posts)Having something to read would have been great. I was finally given a book about 6 hours before release, a romance novel.
I will sign. I have many used paperbacks. Not sure what the protocol is around here.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)If you Google "donate books to inmates, (your location)" you should easily find a local prison book program that would most likely be very appreciative of your gift. Alternatively, I am in touch with all the prison book programs nationwide and can hook you up if you tell me where.
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)lost his nephew in a CA prison a couple of years ago. He was a druggy and stole a car when he was 20 for his third strike. Continued to get into trouble in prison over the next 15 years, got all tatted up and was in an Aryan gang. He never saw the light of day again and had his throat slashed. I often wondered if he had had some decent reading material if that would have made a difference. Sure, I'll sign and thanks for posting. This is really important - prison population is virtually forgotten, although sizeable.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)For many inmates the opportunity makes all the difference between "doing time" or doing something dynamic with their time. I agree This is really important
barbtries
(28,787 posts)please let us know how it goes.
Thanks for your kind support.
Updates will be going out through Change.org
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)xrayvision2005
(31 posts)Thanks for posting my link. I plan to add it to my post as soon as I'm eligible.
gopiscrap
(23,736 posts)I spent 7 months in a fedreal prison for contempt of the US Bankruptcy Court I kept filing bankruptcies because I got cancer and the only way I could stop the collections and the flag on my account of (NO TREATMENT) was to keep filing the bankruptcies.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)Sorry to hear about your problems. This is the most inhumane nation in the "civilized" world.
You have my condolences.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)It was an arduous journey but the pot of gold turned out to come in spiritual form and I am grateful for the experience.
Dystopian
(6,421 posts)Please sign.
I'll say this ....
After my divorce from my first husband (two beautiful children)
He robbed a bank....
Why? He was a junkie.
Why? He was a USMC Vietnam vet...
He only served two years ....could have been twenty-two years.
He left prison, started a new life...
And I'll leave it at that.
peace~
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)Thanks for the sentiments and thanks for your support.
Response to xrayvision2005 (Original post)
janet118 This message was self-deleted by its author.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)The families of prisoners group sounds like a terrific idea.
Good luck with that and thanks for signing.
Saphire
(2,437 posts)there years. I'll join a du support group.
Woody Woodpecker
(562 posts)I understand what your son is going through.
crunch60
(1,412 posts)for a dorm that was locked down about 22 hrs a day. The post office donated their undeliverable' s,( books and magazines,) I collected discontinued library books, and many from used book stores. Once a week we had "library day" and the wards could check out books from the library.
Every book, magazine I brought in, was carefully examined by staff members before it could be admitted into the library collection. The wards were very, very appreciative of my efforts.
I know how important it is to have good books for the many teens and adults that are locked up and forgotten.
I certainly will sign the petition . thanks for thinking of them.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)Sounds like you had a great program going there in CA.
I remember the feeling of being forgotten while in prison; that's why I'll NEVER forget.
Thanks for signing.
duhneece
(4,112 posts)of our non-profit, Peace and Justice of La Luz. We take books to the jail, residential treatment facility and half-way houses. Books is a healthy, positive way to escape as well as educational.
Thanks.
My son was in prison for drugs for four and a half years. Never hurt anyone, didn't steal, didn't drive under the influence...but he can no longer get loans or grants to go to college like he could if he'd committed murder or rape. Justice? I don't think so.
xrayvision2005
(31 posts)Thanks for your response. Perhaps you could help by spreading the word to members of your group?
http://www.change.org/petitions/because-reading-is-a-basic-human-right
Thanks.
duhneece
(4,112 posts)And thank you for your caring heart.