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Books To Prisoners is a Seattle-based, all-volunteer, non-profit group that sends free books to prisoners in the U.S.

Triple your Donation!

Books To Prisoners is happy to announce that we have received a matching funds grant from a generous individual. For every dollar that BTP receives before the end of January 2011, the foundation will match the donation at $2 for every $1 donated up to $10,000. So your donation of $100 will mean $300 for BTP!

All donations go directly to BTP operating costs including postage, wrapping paper, tape, and occasionally purchasing dictionaries or other books. We are an all-volunteer staff, so no money goes to salaries or staffing.

Make checks payable to Books To Prisoners.

Books to Prisoners
c/o Left Bank Books
Box A, 92 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101

People who donate over $100 receive a free BTP t-shirt! Include size and color information with order.

If you do NOT want a receipt for your donation, you can donate using PayPal.

BTP received 13,400 letters from prisoners in 2010 - the most in the history of BTP

Most-needed Books

This is a list of books that we currently need. We get thousands of requests for these books each year. Because most prisons accept only paperback books, we cannot accept hardbacks. Paperbacks only please.

Paperbacks only

Dictionaries: English and Spanish/English
Thesauruses
Small business and real estate: Starting and running a business
Trades (plumbing, electricity, carpentry, construction, auto mechanics)
Law dictionaries and legal self-help

Important: If you are sending more than 2 boxes of books, please contact us for permission first at bookstoprisoners@live.com or call (206) 442-2013. We have very limited storage space.

See a complete list of books we need

Wish List

BTP is in urgent need of the following items:

Wrapping Supplies

Kraft wrapping paper (18" x 1320')

Clear sealing tape (2" wide x 1000 yd)

1 1/3" x 4" mailing labels

Miscellaneous

Vacuum cleaner

Kinkos copy card (to make photocopies)

Mailing scale

Heavy-duty paper cutter

Heavy-duty hand dolly

Used items are acceptable but must be in good condition.

Where to Donate

Book donations may be mailed to our volunteer location at University Christian Church:

Books to Prisoners
c/o Left Bank Books
92 Pike Street
Seattle, WA, 98101

Book donations may also be dropped off at University Christian Church Monday during the following times:

Monday through Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Donations may be placed under the coat racks to the right of the Church entryway.

Monday and Tuesday nights - 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. You will need to call BTP for access after 8:00 p.m. at (206) 731-9471.

Prison Facts

In 2004, over 2.1 million people were in jail or prison in the United States.

In 2004, 24 state prison systems were operating at or above their highest capacity. The federal system was 40 percent over capacity.

An estimated 1 of every 15 persons (6.6%) will serve time in a prison during their lifetime

32% of black males will enter State or Federal prison during their lifetime, compared to 17% of Hispanic males and 5.9% of white males

- Statistics from U.S. Dept. of Justice, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/

Book to Prisoners, c/o Left Bank Books, 92 Pike St., Box A, Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 442-2013 bookstoprisoners@live.com