08/08/08 "Books to Prisoners" banned in Wisconsin Prisons
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has issued an order prohibiting Wisconsin Books to Prisoners from sending any books to Wisconsin prisoners. DOC officials cited "security" concerns, although they were unable to give any examples of security problems that had been caused by the books program.
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners is appealing to you as readers, book lovers and champions of the self-education of all people, to call Governor Jim Doyle (608-266-1212) and John Bett, the DOC administrator (608-240-5104) to express your concern and objection to this ban. Wisconsin is the only state in the U.S. banning books to prisoners.
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners/Rainbow Books
426 W. Gilman St., Madison, WI 53703
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 4, 2008
Contact: Camy Matthay Email: maha@chorus.net
Telephone: 608-455-2712
ARE WISCONSIN PRISONERS LOSING THE RIGHT TO READ? WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS BANS WISCONSIN BOOKS TO PRISONERS FROM SENDING BOOKS TO ALL PRISONERS IN WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners (WBTP), an all-volunteer group
established in 2006 by Rainbow Bookstore staff, volunteers, and other
concerned citizens received a letter on May 13, 2008 from John Bett,
Administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Division of
Adult Institutions (WI-DOC-DAI) stating “effective immediately, the
WI-DOC Division of Adult Institutions will no longer allow books or
publications from Rainbow Bookstores in any DOC facility.”
Mr. Bett’s letter stated that DAI policy required books and other
publications to be new, shipped to the facility directly from the
vendor, and claimed that Rainbow Bookstore was not a vendor.
Rainbow Bookstore, however has been incorporated in WI since 1989,
and has operated a retail bookstore at 426 W. Gilman St. in Madison
ever since. WBTP sent this information to Mr. Bett on June 6th, who
then responded on July 2nd informing Rainbow Bookstore that the DOC-
DAI requires all approved inmate property items to be “received new
and from an approved vendor.”
The DOC Administrative Code, however, distinguishes between inmate
property and publications in specific listings of the code. Although
the code for inmate property indicates that property must come from
“approved retail outlets,” this language does not appear in the code
for receipt of publications, nor does the code specify that books and
publication must be new. The code in fact says: “The department shall
facilitate inmate reading of publications, including books,
magazines, newspapers, and pamphlets” -a policy that should be
applauded given that a wide variety of studies indicate that in-
prison education reduces rates of recidivism. The policy also states
that inmates may receive publications directly from commercial sources.
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners has asked Mr. Bett to supply information
about how to apply for approved vendor status. The DOC has not
responded.
Since their inception, Wisconsin Books to Prisoners has sent over
4000 packages of books nationwide. Wisconsin is the only state in
the U.S. that is banning books to prisoners.