Based in central Austin, the Inside Books Project (IBP) is an all volunteer, non-profit organization sending free books and educational materials to people in prison in the state of Texas. It is the only project in the state offering this vital resource to Texas' prisoner population, which now exceeds 171,790.

Until we are no longer separated by concrete and barb wire, IBP envisions itself as a gateway between prisoners and the outside community, where both can enrich their lives, empower, strengthen, and educate.

A wide range of studies agree that in-prison education reduces the likelihood of a prisoner committing another crime after his or her release. Many prisoners have few educational opportunities and limited access to libraries. (See "Post Correctional Education and Recidivism".) Also, prison libraries are frequently in poor condition, filled with pulp fiction, and heavily censored. Many facilities have little or nothing to offer in important areas like African-American and Mexican-American history, GED and other standardized test training, coping with specific medical conditions, and art/craft instruction.

If prisons were meant for purposes of rehabilitation, that goal has long since been lost to dehumanization and punishment. IBP is, at times, the only connection prisoners have to educational opportunities and communication with the outside.

IBP is the only organization of its kind in the state of Texas. We serve needs in the education of Texas prisoners that would otherwise go unmet by the state prison system. Inmates share information and resources they receive through our efforts, thus creating informal communities of literacy and learning. Please support our efforts on behalf of the prisoners.

We receive about 800 requests for books from Texas Prisoners each month! Come to one of our volunteer sessions to help answer book requests and mail packages. We currently hold volunteer nights Thursday and Sundays from 8-11pm at Space 12 (see our "volunteer" page for more information). We are also always in great need of donations of both books and money (see our "donations" page for more information).
All donations are tax-deductible.