Athens Books to Prisoners assists incarcerated people in their reading journeys upon request. The organization and its volunteers believe literature has the power to decrease isolation and encourage personal growth.
Many requests for books come from those who have little to no access to other educational programs.
Sarah Fick, an Ohio University alumna and a founding organizer and volunteer for the program, said they are not associated with the libraries inside of prisons.
“What we do is we receive letters in the mail from incarcerated people,” Fick said. “They tell us what types of books they like to read. We go through our library and pick out books specifically that we think they would like.”
She said that once mailed to the requester, books are their personal property. After reading, many donate their books to prison libraries or share with their visiting children or other prisoners.
Books to Prisoners is entirely volunteer-run, and all donations go toward postage and other supplies, receiving no grants or outside funding.
Fick said Books to Prisoners originally just focused on Ohio prisoners but now spans across the country.
Fick said her love of books and passion for helping others is what motivates her work within the organization. To give people who do not have control over many aspects of their lives a physical piece of belonging is important.
“When you think about who is the most vulnerable person, who is in the most need of mutual aid, to me, people who are incarcerated come to the top of that list,” Fick said.
Ava Pesicka, a senior studying middle childhood education, wants to pursue a career of teaching in prisons, juvie and jails, and is organizing a fundraiser for Books to Prisoners.
The fundraiser will be this fall on College Green, accepting donations of any kind, specifically clothing and household items. Updates can be found on the fundraiser-specific Instagram, @bookstoprisoners.oufundraiser.
Pesicka said students interested in getting involved can attend a book packing, which is held every second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 5 N. Shafer St.
Pesicka said giving prisoners this outlet to education has benefits aside from just educational value.
“It gives people the opportunity to connect to themselves again and remind themselves or learn what they're passionate about,” Pesicka said. “A chance to engage their mind in something other than the situation that they're in, so I think that is something that's really special to me, and that's why I'm motivated by it.”
Pesicka said people in prison and impoverished areas struggle with a lack of literacy education and have trouble receiving a GED.
“It's not just about reading books or whatever; it’s how you understand,” Pesicka said, “It's how you go about understanding the world that you interact with. It helps you develop your thinking, learn how to say what you believe.”
Pesicka said those interested in a similar field of study should consistently research how prisons affect the incarcerated.
“I think research is the most important thing because research helps to build empathy,” Pesicka said. “Once you have an understanding, that will help you so much more; just learn. Because I feel like that’s what it’s all about. We need to learn about them to help them.”
Eleanor Van Hook, a sophomore studying dance, psychology and religious studies, is interested in volunteering with Books to Prisoners.
“I just think education and knowledge are so valuable, and providing that to people who might not have access to it is a really valuable way to spend your time,” Van Hook said.
Students can contact the Athens Books to Prisoners Facebook if interested in learning more; letters from incarcerated people are also posted there.
