People in prison can write us a letter (via Post Office) and ask for books. The letter should include:

• Name

• Address

• ID number

• Genres of books

We ask that people request genres of books rather than specific titles or authors, as we work entirely on donations.

We cannot send any books that are hardcover, or spiral-bound, torn, stained, water-damaged, falling apart written in, or has nudity.

Although Read Between the Bars does not have an official “banned” books list, we do not send books that include gang-related topics, true crime, Nazi-related subjects, white supremacy, misogynistic, racist, or discriminatory literature.

We encourage people in prison request genres instead of specific titles. The books in our library vary widely depending what is donated. We cannot guarantee that we have a specific title in stock.

Read Between the Bars only fulfill requests made directly from a person currently in prison. Please provide them with our address for them to write to us directly.

No. Read Between the Bars does not have the capacity to do so.

We only serve people incarcerated in state and federal prisons in the State of Arizona.

For other states you can find a list here.

People often say they heard about us from other people in prison or contacts on the outside. And, with every book package we mail, we send an information sheet that can be shared with friends and cellmates.

All kinds of books. We find that with a few exceptions, the reading interests of folks in prison are the same as those of the general public. Popular titles include small business startup, drawing and art, manga, exercise, fiction of all kinds, and much more. If you’re interested in helping fulfill out most requested books, please check our Amazon Wishlist and order books from there. This wishlist is updated regularly.

**Please note, we cannot send hardbound books or books with any nudity of any kind, whatsoever, including art or cartoon nudity.

Our selection of books depends on donations. Fiction and non-fiction topics available vary widely.

Nearly all our books are donated by individuals just like you. Occasionally, publishers and authors donate extra copies of their books. Periodically, we trade donated books we cannot use or that are not often requested at a local used book exchange.

Jails are generally where people are held pre-trial, ideally for shorter lengths of time. Because turn over is higher, Read Between the Bars cannot be sure people will be in jail long enough for us to respond to their request.