Been in prison or know someone who has?

[xrayvision2005]

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]

1. I Signed With This Comment:

Preparing prisoners for life on the outside is extraordinarily important to reducing crime and fighting a whole host of social issues and entitlement costs. This is a part of it.

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]

27. I'm with you

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]

2. I have, and I agree - and signed. Thanks!

[xrayvision2005]

26. Much appreciated

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]

3. No, and no.

Good cause, though.

[xrayvision2005]

25. Me either

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]

4. No, and Yes!

Believe it or not, serving a year+ straightened my SIL out. She became a model citizen.
I'd be glad to help.

[xrayvision2005]

24. I do believe it

Thanks for your support

[RebelOne]

5. It is hard enough to send money to prisoners.

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.

[xrayvision2005]

23. Yup!

We'll send donated books to any inmate in the continental US (except RI!)
email: [e-mail]
website: ProvidenceBTB.org

[panader0]

6. Not prison, but the county zoo for a short stint

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]

21. Glad you can help

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]

7. My very best friend

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]

20. The difference

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]

8. okay i signed

please let us know how it goes.

[xrayvision2005]

19. OK

Thanks for your kind support.
Updates will be going out through Change.org

[Iwillnevergiveup]

9. Link

http://www.change.org/petitions/because-reading-is-a-basic-human-right

[xrayvision2005]

22. Thoughtful

Thanks for posting my link. I plan to add it to my post as soon as I'm eligible.

[gopiscrap]

10. I signed thank you

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]

11. What an awful story to have lived through.

Sorry to hear about your problems. This is the most inhumane nation in the "civilized" world.

You have my condolences.

[xrayvision2005]

18. bright side

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]

12. Even if you don't know someone...or have never been to prison...

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]

17. Right on

Thanks for the sentiments and thanks for your support.

[xrayvision2005]

16. Group

The families of prisoners group sounds like a terrific idea.
Good luck with that and thanks for signing.

[Saphire]

28. you're not alone. my son has been out

there years. I'll join a du support group.

[Woody Woodpecker]

29. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

I understand what your son is going through.

[crunch60]

14. I was a volunteer (college credit) at a CYA in Cali. I established a library

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]

15. Awesome

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]

30. We have a Books Behind Bars project

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. Justice is sometimes unjust

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]

32. Will do

And thank you for your caring heart.