Our Year in Books

2024 was a busy year indeed for Books Beyond Bars. We sent out a total of 6,853 books to incarcerated people across New York State. Out of the prisons and jails we sent books to, this works out to an average of 137 books per facility this year.

These 6,853 books were sent out to 2,360 incarcerated people. That means 1 in 20 incarcerated New Yorkers have received a book from us.

We received many thank you letters this year. Some recipients pointed out the institutional gap that BBB books fill:

“With all the stress and struggles and worries of both being in prison and of everything I left behind in the streets, your [program] gives me the opportunity to free my mind by reading. Our library here isn’t the greatest so your services are appreciated more than you’ll ever know.”

“I have been getting an opportunity to read many great books through your organization that I wouldn’t have been able to without it. I can’t thank you enough. You are doing a very positive and powerful thing for prisoners across the state.”

Others expressed how BBB books enhanced personal milestones:

“As always thank you for the wonderful gift of my most recent book. I got it on my birthday which made it even more special. The books you have given me are among my most cherished possessions here in prison so thank you!”

“I will be going home after 24 ½ years of incarceration, and I just want to thank BBB and your supporters for contributing to my higher education, which will play a pivotal role in my release plans.”

And many were reminders of the power of books to educate and entertain, and to enliven an otherwise uninspiring and often stressful environment, forging bonds between incarcerated individuals and establishing links to the wider world:

“There’s not much to do in here, as you would probably know, but because of you and your donors to the book program we are able to read good books and learn new things from books that are educational. I tip my hat to you guys and wish there were more book programs like you.”

“I love reading and I love reading out loud for those who can’t read. There’s even inmates who can read that have been following along with the story. I even hear the guys talking about the stories well after I’ve finished reading them. This makes me feel really good inside and thank you for making this happen.”

“I want to first say thank you for allowing incarcerated individuals like myself to experience, by way of reading, something outside of confinement. What your organization does allows us to see past these walls. You are changing my life one title at a time.”

“Someone who doesn’t even know me, who doesn’t owe me or have any reason to bother, cares enough about me to help cheer me up with a magazine or book. This is typically my only bright spot these days, and I wish I could do more than just thank you, but it’s all I’ve got to give. I hope that my showing appreciation helps someone else receive that ray of literary light from you.”