Books to Jails
Support Teen Readers Incarcerated in NYC
We are honored to partner with Youth Justice Network (formerly Friends of Island Academy) a nonprofit organization currently working with over a hundred 16-21 year olds in NYC custody to cultivate opportunities throughout their incarceration and following release into the community. Please join us in supporting their Books to Jails initiative to get books into the hands of the youngest people incarcerated in NYC.
Funds will be used to buy and send books directly to young people in custody at Rikers Island and in Horizon Juvenile Center. We believe that these young people, like all teenagers, should have access to the books they want to read. Most young people held in custody on Rikers Island and at Horizon Juvenile Center are currently in pre-trial detention, meaning they have not been found guilty of a crime.
During the Covid-19 crisis, when programming, family visits, school, and other daily activities and movement are severely limited in City jails, the joy, knowledge, comfort, and escapism provided by books has never been more essential.
With your support, we will be able to purchase and send books that young people have specifically requested, or tailor selections to their interests and concerns.
Note: We appreciate offers to donate used books, but at this time we are unable to accept book donations.