National Prison Book Program

What a busy week, after a successful pilot of the book program we are now in full swing!

What Is It?
The National Prison Book Program provides prisoners with free reading materials. Our aim is to provide books to prisoners and enhance prison library and educational services. Unfortunately many prisons cannot keep up with the demand for educational resources and books, we provide these materials to improve the lives and communities of prisoners to greatly reduce the likelihood of their return to the prison system. Our aim is to create a safer community and a more humane prison environment.

Types of Books We Need
Donations must be in good condition. Typically, books that are over 25 years old cannot be used, as they are often outdated or in poor condition. We can use most non-fiction and fiction in new or very good condition. The following subjects and genres are in demand:
· English dictionaries and thesauruses
· Textbooks
· How to start a small business.
· Law books
· Health
· Trades (i.e. woodworking, automotive, etc.)
· Mysteries and thrillers
· Westerns
· Love poetry
· Art books
The number of prisoners that we can help is limited only by the number of books we have and our ability to pay the postage to mail the books.

Books We Cannot Use
Due to limited storage space and strict prison regulations, we cannot accept the following types of books.
· Encyclopedias and similar hard-cover book sets
· Magazines
· Books about tattooing or anything that may be considered pornographic
· Textbooks printed before 2000
· Books printed before 1970
· Books that have stickers that cannot be removed
· Books in poor condition (missing pages, torn/missing covers, etc.)

Where To Bring Donations
Donations can be posted to us at PO Box 490 Chadstone. We can also organise the collection of books in the Melbourne area and the Hobart area. Please call 0448 184 224 or email us at prisonfoundation@email.com.

Book Drives and Book Drop Off Sites
Please contact us if your business, church, or other organization would like to serve as a book drop off centre and/or hold a book drive!

What Else Can I Donate?
We also have a need for the following materials:
· Educational materials suitable for prisoners
· Courier services
· Printing services
· Padded envelopes
· Packing tape
· Gift cards to bookstores and office supply stores
· Cash

How Can I Get Involved?
· You can organise a book drive at your school, university, at work or at your church or club. We can provide you with posters. Ask your local radio and TV stations for community announcement spots to advertise your book drive.
· We are seeking people to assist with setting up community drop off points.
· Donate your time to help us pick up books in your local area.
· Spread the word! Link to our website or put information up about what we do (we can provide you with posters and brochures) in your local community.
· If you have other ideas let us know!