EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Ohio University Correctional Education – Haning Hall 102 1 Ohio University · Athens , OH 45701
Ohio University Southern offers print-based courses to earn degree or simply take courses. Offers Associates, Bachelors, and Legal Studies Certificate courses. Write for a student inquiry packet and application, or get family/friends to download from the internet and mail directly to you. Serves people nationally.
Upper Iowa University PO Box 1857 Self Paced Degree Program · Fayette, IA 52142
Upper Iowa University offers a Self-Paced Degree Program, with courses in paper format that can be completed at a distance. The Self- Paced paper format is structured around written assignments and proctored exams. Offers associate degrees in business, liberal arts, public administration, social science, and more. Write for tuition costs (up to $990 per course) and course catelog. Serves people nationwide.
PRISON WRITING / ARTS PROGRAMS
PEN Prison Writing Program 588 Broadway, Suite 303 · New York, NY 10012
The PEN prison writing program provide hundreds of imprisoned writers across the country with free writing resources, skilled mentors, and audiences for their work. Its program supports free expression, and encourages the use of the written word as a legitimate form of power. In additional to mentoring, PEN publishes a national list of prison-based creative writing programs, sponsors an annual writing contest, publishes the free book Handbook for Writers In Prison, conducts workshops, and seeks to promote prisoners’ work publicly through literary publications and readings. Serves writers nationally.
PrisonArte.com c/o SG Sales & Marketing PO Box 1773 · Avondale, AZ 85323
The PrisonArte website was originally started to assist artists who worked with the website owner’s husband at the same facility in which he is serving a 25-year sentence. The website has now been opened up to other artists throughout the U.S. PrisonArte’s application process is crucial to get to know the artist and add them to PrisonArte’s website and introduce the artist to the world. PrisonArte wants people to want to buy art from YOU. They offer this online venue by collecting a very small fee on each sale. The quality of every piece is inspected and approved in order to put on PrisonArte’s stamp of approval. To obtain the 7-page prison artist application packet, a pre-addressed stamped envelope (1 Forever stamp) must be included. Incarcerated artists interested in applying, please write to us and include a self- addressed prepaid envelope to be considered.
Prisons Foundation 2512 Virginia Ave NW, #58043 · Washington, DC 20037
Prisons Foundation publishes books written by or about prisoners. Their publishing program includes posting books onto their website for download. They also exhibit art created in prison (see www.SafeStreetsArts.org). Write directly for book submission guidelines prior to sending a manuscript. The prison author retains full rights to their book, for later placement with a literary agent or commercial publisher if desired. It also now offers quality Dictionaries and Thesauruses for only $3.95 each, and will mail them directly to prisoners. Serves writers nationally.
The American Prison Writing Archive, 198 College Hill Rd Hamilton College · Clinton, NY 13323-1218
The American Prison Writing Archive is an digital archive of non-fiction essays that offers the public first-hand testimony to the living and working conditions experienced by prisoners, prison employees, and prison volunteers. All prisoners can contribute. Non-fiction essays, based on first-hand experience, should be limited to 5,000 words (15 double-spaced pages). Clearly hand-written pages are also welcome. They charge no fees and read all writing submitted. Write in for the permissions-questionnaire, which MUST accompany all submissions. Serves writers nationally.
REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
CURE-SORT, PO Box 1022 · Norman, OK 73070-1022
CURE-SORT (Sex Offenders Restored through Treatment) has information, resources, contacts, and support to individuals, families, defense attorneys, treatment providers, and professionals who work with issues of sexual abuse and its prevention. CURE-SORT is an issue chapter of Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE). Provides info nationally.
Narcotics Anonymous, PO Box 9999 · Van Nuys, CA 91409
NA publishes a wide variety of materials concerning drug addiction and recovery, some of which are expressly produced for persons currently incarcerated, including Behind the Walls. Offers services in many different languages. También ofrece literatura en español, incluyendo Entre Rejas. Has many pamphlets and booklets available for free download from the internet. Ask friends or family to print and send to you directly. Provides information nationally.
Prison Yoga Project, PO Box 415 · Bolinas, CA 94924 ·
Prison Yoga Project supports incarcerated people with trauma- informed yoga and mindfulness practices as a means of self- empowerment and self-rehabilitation. PYP believes yoga helps everyone develop the self-awareness, self-worth, empathy, and compassion that leads to positive personal and pro-social choices. Since 2010, it has sent more than 26,000 copies of Yoga: A Path for Healing and Recovery free of charge on request. Serves people nationally.
RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL RESOURCES
Aleph Institute, 9540 Collins Ave · Surfside, FL 33154-7127
The Aleph Institute is a non-profit Jewish organization dedicated to assisting and caring for the wellbeing of members of specific populations that are isolated from the regular community, including prisoners and people institutionalized or at risk of incarceration due to mental illness or addictions. Aleph addresses religious, educational, and spiritual needs, advocates and lobbies for their civil and religious rights, and provides support to their families at home left to fend for themselves. Jewish prisoners may write to receive free books, regular monthly literature, holiday offerings, and family programs.
American Bible Academy, PO Box 1627 · Joplin, MO 64802-1627
Free English and Spanish Bible correspondence courses for prisoners. All courses are 120 pages in length. Info also available from www.abarc.org
Anthroposophical Prison Outreach Project, 1923 Geddes Ave · Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Do you, as a prisoner, feel that there must be some meaning in your prison experience that is still to be discovered? Or that you can give it meaning? If so, you might be interested in Anthroposophy — the path from the spirit in man to the spirit in the universe. Anthroposophy embraces a spiritual view of the human being and cosmos, but its emphasis is on knowing, not faith. It is a path in which the human heart and hand, and especially our capacity for thinking, are essential. You may write to receive an initial package of literature containing a booklet titled Self-Development In The Penitentiary, as well as other articles and meditation exercises.
Association For Research and Enlightenment, 215 67th St. c/o Prison Outreach Program · Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Books about the life and work of Edgar Cayce, prayer, meditation, ancient mysteries, dreams, death and the afterlife, reincarnation and karma, the Bible, universal laws, self-transformation, and prophecy. Prisoners are limited to one book every two months.
BBI Media, PO Box 687 · Forest Grove, OR 97116
Offers free subscriptions to prison chaplains and prison libraries at women’s facilities. Requests must be submitted on official prison letterhead. Publishes Witches & Pagans and SageWoman.
Chuang Yen Monastery, 2020 Route 301 Attn. Rev. Richard Baksa, Prison Program · Carmel, NY 10512
Our organization sends free Buddhist books to prisoners who request them, answers questions regarding Buddhist beliefs and practice that prisoners may have, and sponsors a free Buddhist Correspondence Course for prisoners.
Compassion Works For All, PO Box 7708 · Little Rock, AR 72217-7708
Provides monthly Dharma Friends newsletters, and also the following resource lists; Personal Health and Nutrition, 12 Step and Buddhism, Buddhist Resources, Christian Spiritual Resources, Hindu and Yoga Spiritual Resources, Other Spiritual and Psychological Healing Resources, Todd Fletcher’s Buddhist Resource List, Ani Tendron’s Recommended Buddhist Readings.
Human Kindness Foundation Prison-Ashram Project, PO Box 61619 · Durham, NC 27715
The Human Kindness Foundation’s Prison-Ashram Project sends free books and newsletters to people in prisons and jails all over the U.S., including We’re All Doing Time by the late Bo Lozoff. HKF encourages a way of life based upon three common principles taught by the great sages of all religions: Simple living, a dedication to service, and a commitment to personal spiritual practice. Write to request materials in English or Spanish. Limited materials also available to addresses outside the U.S.
ISKCON Prison Ministry, PO Box 2676 · Alachua, FL 32616
Sends free material about bhakti-yoga study and practice; books, prayer beads, CDs, MP3s, and incense. We need to know: 1) Which items you are allowed to have, 2) Are you allowed hardbound or only softbound books? 3) Which items can be sent to you directly and which only through the chaplain?The books cover reincarnation, karma, and how to live a simple, godly life, and find internal peace and joy no matter what your circumstances.
Islamic Education Center, 2313 South Voss Rd. · Houston, TX 77057
Serves the community of Houston with weekly services and serves as a center for imparting knowledge about Islam and promoting Islamic values. No dedicated prisoner publication; write for more information.
Islamic Education Center, 2313 South Voss Rd. · Houston, TX 77057
Serves the community of Houston with weekly services and serves as a center for imparting knowledge about Islam and promoting Islamic values. No dedicated prisoner publication; write for more information.
Islamic Society of North America, PO Box 38 ISNA Subscription Dept · Plainfield , IN 46168
ISNA’s vision is to be an exemplary and unifying Islamic organization in North America that contributes to the betterment of the Muslim community and society at large. Sends Qurans and other introductory books on Islamic study to prison libraries and incarcerated people. Ability to send books depends on the prison’s policies. Also publishes a bi-monthly magazine, Islamic Horizons for $24/year. Serves people nationwide.
Jewish Prisoner Services International, PO Box 85840 · Seattle, WA 98145-1840
JPSI is a Jewish chaplaincy organization that strives to fulfill the Talmudic obligation of all Jews being responsible for each other, along with other religious mandates of their faith. JPSI strives to insure that Jewish prisoners are permitted to practice their faith by providing the advocacy and religious materials to further that goal. Write for a prisoner info form. Serves Jewish prisoners nationally; expect delay in response.
Rock of Ages Prison Ministry, PO Box 2308 · Cleveland, TN 37320
Offers Christian ministry outreach to prisoners as well as a New Testament correspondence study course through their Prisoners Bible Institute. Serves people nationally.
Set Free Prison Ministries, PO Box 5440 · Riverside, CA 92517
Provides Bible study courses in English and Spanish to people free of charge. Curriculum consists of Bible courses from the Navigators in Colorado Springs, Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and Emmaus Correspondence School in Iowa. Provides free postage both mailing and return. Serves people nationally.
SYDA Foundation Yoga Prison Project, PO Box 99140 · Emeryville, CA 94662
The Prison Project is dedicated to disseminating the Siddha Yoga teachings and practices to incarcerated individuals. Sends free monthly newsletter and the Siddha Yoga Home Study Course to prisoners. Serves people nationally, but expect delay in response.
PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO THE INCARCERATED:
Human Rights Pen Pals
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
