Books to Prisoners

Since 2020, we have been proud to partner with our local Books to Prisoners program. You can buy a book for an incarcerated person through Couth Buzzard by visiting our special shelf of pre-selected items! Read the FAQ below to find out more.

How does it work?

Choose one of these books, purchase it at the register, and place it in the collection box below.

Where do the books go?

These books are taken to the Books to Prisoners library. Dedicated volunteers receive letters from incarcerated people all over the country, and do their best to match each person’s book requests as closely as possible.

How much does it cost?

Books with red stickers are new and sell for the full cover price on the back (usually between $6 and $18). Books without red stickers are used, and the price is penciled inside the first clean page. If unmarked, the book is priced at half the cover price.

Can I bring you donations for the prisoners?

No thank you! These items have been pre-selected by our staff based on the program’s specific needs. If you are interested in donating books directly to the organization, here is a direct link to their website with more info: https://www.bookstoprisoners.net/send-books/

What if I don’t like the books you’ve chosen, or I think they’re inappropriate?

Readers are very particular about the books they choose for others — we totally get it! But in this situation, it’s not our place to moralize about what prisoners want to read. It IS our place to support our neighbors at BTP in fulfilling their own mission, which is to advocate for the incarcerated and fight against censorship of written materials in prison.

How can I get involved?

Visit the Books to Prisoners website to find out how to volunteer!