Women's Prison Book Project

A nonprofit organization

CLICK HERE TO GIVE TO OUR 2023 CAMPAIGN!

Words Stretching Beyond Bars & Walls, Since 1994

For over 28 years, the Women’s Prison Book Project (WPBP) has provided women and transgender persons in prison with free reading materials covering a wide range of topics from law and education (dictionaries, GED, etc.) to fiction, politics, history, and women’s health. We are an all-volunteer, grassroots organization. We build connections with those behind the walls, and educate those of us on the outside about the realities of prison and the justice system.

Prison restrictions continue to make our work more challenging - and more essential than ever

During this pandemic, no population has been hit harder than the incarcerated with lockdowns, isolation, and heightened uncertainty inside prison. This year, our readers inside prisons are still facing sporadic Covid-19 lockdowns, and increasingly, unit lockdowns due to short staffing in the prisons.  Prisoners are also grappling with the rising costs of commissary items and a reduction in prison services.   

Our operation has had to grapple with the increasing restrictions of the prisons we send books into. More prisons are banning used books than ever. WPBP has adjusted to these changes to rely less on book donations and more on buying new books. We are able to do this because donations from our supporters made it possible to focus our time and energy away from fundraising, and more on what matters most: meeting the requests of our readers.

WPBP's volunteers continue to amaze us with their dedication. To making sure high demand new books are on our shelves, coordinating used book drives, and getting out over 100 packages a week, WPBP could not do anything without our dedicated volunteers. WPBP continues to be an all-volunteer organization without paid staff.

Any amount helps

Now, we're asking for your financial support. $40 sends books to ten women; $400 covers a week of postage; $1500 can purchase a month's worth of priority books we don't receive through donations -- addiction/recovery workbooks, legal self-help, GED prep and more. 

Thank you for your past support, and for your continued support in these uncertain times. Without you, WPBP simply would not exist!

With gratitude,

WPBP Volunteers


Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Women's Prison Book Project

Tax id (EIN)

41-1977201

Categories

Education Community

Address

3751 17th Ave S
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55407