Reading: A Proven Solution

Today is “National Book Lovers Day.”  It reminds me of how my mother instilled in me a love for reading, which I have passed on to my children.  Reading allowed me to escape reality and imagine things beyond my reach while growing up in Birmingham, Alabama.



Many of the women in jails and prisons have experienced various forms of trauma during their life.  Studies have revealed that such women have experienced trauma significantly higher than incarcerated men.  This includes exposure to trauma, interpersonal trauma, victimization, and post-traumatic stress disorder.  Reading is an activity that can help offer hope and alleviate some of the pain.



Benefits of Reading



Medical experts have encouraged reading for years, stating positive benefits like:

  • Reducing stress and anxiety levels
  • Improving sleep quality
  • Improving mental well-being
  • Helping to fight depression
  • Giving you something to look forward to
  • Making you happier and more positive

 

These benefits from reading can serve as part of the solution to helping these women heal.  Prisons have limited resources available that might enable women to come to terms with their past and improve their futures.  Therefore, reading is crucial in some prisoners’ self-reflection and self-creation processes.

 

Limited Reading Material



The benefits of reading are well documented, yet books are treated more like contraband than sources of information. Additional restrictions are added unnecessarily.  Restrictions on reading programs range from total bans to restrictions on specific titles, contents, and authors.  Historically, prison libraries have depended on churches and other non-profits to help acquire books.  Recently, some states have even restricted or entirely banned accepting donated books.  The Marshall Project found that at least 24 states restrict who can send books to prisons.



This has led to varying levels of access to books across states and facilities.  An Atlanta Journal-Constitution article discovered books per inmate at 12 Georgia state prisons to range from a low of 1.3 at Telfair State Prison to a high of 18.1 at Walker State Prison.



On this “National Book Lovers Day,” consider donating your favorite book to a prison book program.



Also, don’t forget that this year marks the fifth year of our annual WISER Women fundraising campaign.  Please help us reach our goal of raising $5,700 to support our mission of advancing women-focused research.  Please consider contributing $57 via PayPal Giving Fund (PayPal account required) or credit card (through PayPal).  Your support can create a lasting impact!



Take Care,

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