CSA's "News You Can Use": Books Behind Bars

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

“Most people in prison usually get out someday and return to the community,” says Community Services Agency Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. “Anything we can do to help them prepare for re-entry while they are still inside is a worthwhile venture.” McKirchy – citing recent budget cuts to area prison libraries - is urging the local labor community to donate books that will “assist the inmates to make a successful re-entry back to the community.” Prison libraries are looking for recent reference materials (no older than 2 years); current non-fiction (psychology, self help, self improvement, relationships, starting your own business, business plan, career, English-language dictionaries, health information); anything on the New York Times and Washington Post bestseller lists; popular authors (like Grisham, Ludlum, Patterson, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Patricia Cornwell, Grafton, etc.); mysteries, horror, romance, books by African-American writers; and materials that enhance occupational programs (landscaping, building, roofing, plumbing, etc.). Please DO NOT send: old magazines, old law books, textbooks, old classics, damaged materials, including books that are brown with age, or any material that “compromises security” (such as materials on building bombs, making weapons, martial arts, attack strategies, pornography, etc.). Books can be dropped off at the CSA office (888 16th Street NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC) by April 30, 2011. To volunteer to help with sorting or delivering books, please email kmckirch@dclaborarchives.org or call 202-974-8221. - photo: Glennor Shirley, library coordinator for Maryland Correctional Education Libraries, explains that prisoners who come to the library have choices about how to spend their time; photo courtesy The Washington Post