ProvBTB.org is a grass roots, 501c3 non-profit, volunteer program - fulfilling requests for free books from individual inmates nationwide.
The United States has developed a preoccupation with incarceration. With over two million people incarcerated, the U S is home to the world’s highest incarceration rate. Even China and Russia—hardly bastions of liberty and civil rights— have lower numbers of prisoners. We hold the unenviable distinction of being the "incarcerator in-chief." Over seven million people are under some form of DOC supervision; a dis- proportionate number are people of color. The infamous "War on Drugs/ Crime" is a war on race and class . This is a CIVIL RIGHTS Issue. With many policies driven to punish rather than by knowledge of what improves community safety, and with politics and profit playing a major role, the criminal justice system costs too much and isn’t fair.
America can hardly boast that it houses 25% of the world's prisoners, when it only has 5% of the world's population. As a result of a nearly four-fold increase in inmates since the 80's, the DOC spends in excess of $80 billion annually. The incarceration rate has declined by just over 1% per year since 2011, yet at that pace it will take nearly another century to revert to pre- Regan "Drug War" years.
Recidivism refers to the revolving door that seems to plague the US justice system. Over 40 percent of inmates re-offend within one year of their release — 67.5% recidivate within three years. Those statistics remain unchanged for over a decade.
Is this really the America we have envisioned for our children and their children?
Providence Books through Bars is a Rhode Island based volunteer non-profit organization. Our Mission is to use recycled donated books to provide free reading material for inmates nationwide.
Education is our best hope for reuniting families and cultivating law abiding, productive members of society.
$4.00 sends a package of reading materials to another HUMAN BEING.
The benefit?
PRICELESS!
http://www.providencebtb.org/home/donate
