New Texas Book Restriction Undermines Book Access Programs for Incarcerated
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Starting April 1, Texas will be instituting changes in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) regulations that restricts books sent to incarcerated individuals. Under the new changes, only new paperback books will be allowed in state prisons (Federal prisons are not impacted.) Used books, hardcovers, and books with minor wear would be rejected.
Additional requirements include prohibitions on:
Any markings such as highlighting or annotations
Water damage, staining, or torn pages
A new requirement that all incoming packages be logged through an as-yet undefined digital “portal”
While these changes are framed as a response to concerns about contraband, organizations across the country, including Books to Prisoners and other prison book programs with decades of experience, raise serious concerns.
For over 50 years, prison book programs have safely sent millions of books into correctional facilities across the United States. These programs operate with care, intention, and established processes designed to prevent the introduction of contraband.
Restricting access to books does not increase safety. It does increase the operational costs of prison literacy programs dramatically while reducing the volume and variety of books sent.
Texas prisons already face a shortage of accessible reading materials and incarcerated individuals rely on outside organizations to access the books they need. By limiting acceptable materials to new paperbacks only, TDCJ cuts off a major supply line of books.
Prison book programs like Books to Prisoners operate using donated used books. Requiring only new books introduces a financial barrier that would dramatically reduce the number of books that can be sent. The proposed requirement that all books be newly purchased creates a significant financial burden for volunteer-driven, nonprofit organizations built on donations.
Books to Prisoners understands TDCJ’s concerns about contraband and have long-standing processes that make its introduction through our shipments highly unlikely. When similar restrictions were proposed in Washington in 2019, officials cited 17 alleged book-related incidents, but a Seattle Times investigation found none were linked to nonprofit book programs.
Additional articles on the upcoming Texas restrictions:
