Books Through Bars

The New Haven Independent takes a look at Books Through Bars. Some inmates request genre. Fantasy and horror are both popular, as is black consciousness. Others request specific titles or authors. The Bible is in big demand, as well as books about wicca, or earth-based spirituality. Others want books that can help them learn a practical trade, like working with computers or auto mechanics.

For reasons that are unclear, most of the requests come from prisoners in the South, especially Texas, which has a regulation that inmates can receive books only during the last year of their sentences.