Wisconsin Books to Prisoners, a volunteer‑run nonprofit, has resumed its statewide effort to send free books to incarcerated residents. The organization, which began mailing titles in 2006, had distributed roughly 70,000 books before the Wisconsin Department of Corrections halted the program in 2024 over concerns that used books could be used to smuggle contraband.
Program paused, then revived
When the Department of Corrections told the group it could no longer accept used books, co‑founder Camy Matthay said the nonprofit was forced to scale back dramatically, leaving many prisoners without the reading material they had requested. “Our project was extremely critical to prisoners who wanted to read books that were more current and relevant to their ambitions,” Matthay explained.
Over the past two years, the nonprofit worked closely with DOC officials to design a solution. Pilot shipments to selected facilities tested new procedures, and the agency eventually approved a revised model that permits both new and gently used books to be sent to all state prisons.
New safeguards in place
Under the updated system, a librarian or other prison official will cross‑reference each request and document the transaction. Inmates can no longer name a specific title; instead, they may request a genre or subject area. “The concern is that someone on the outside might try to hide drugs in a book, donate it to us, and then have a friend inside request that exact title,” Matthay said.
Law‑enforcement officials have confirmed that paper has been used to smuggle K2, a synthetic cannabinoid, into prisons by soaking the material and then smoking or ingesting it. Matthay expressed sympathy for the DOC’s safety worries, noting, “No one wants anyone to die on their watch.”
Why books matter
While Wisconsin prisons do provide library services and limited electronic books, those resources often lack the breadth of titles that inmates seek. The nonprofit’s ability to tailor shipments to individual needs fills that gap. The most popular requests include books on job skills, learning Spanish, and other practical subjects that aid re‑entry into society.
Prisoners have written heartfelt letters praising the program, saying it not only helps them prepare for life after release but also offers the simple joy of reading and learning about the wider world.
Looking ahead
With donor support, Wisconsin Books to Prisoners plans to continue expanding its catalogue while maintaining the new oversight measures. The organization hopes the restored program will further reduce recidivism by equipping inmates with knowledge and hope.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
