SAN ANTONIO -- The Texas Organizing Project announced the launch of the organization’s Quiero Leer book drive on Wednesday, which seeks to add 500 new books to Bexar County Jail’s library by the end of May.
- Goal to bring more humanity to our local criminal justice system
- Book drive is the creation of TOP’s Bexar County Right2Justice campaign
- Studies show that inmates who read more while incarcerated are less likely to re-enter
The goal is to bring more humanity to our local criminal justice system. The book drive is the creation of TOP’s Bexar County Right2Justice campaign.
“This effort is all about San Antonio residents stepping up to ignite change and uplift our fellow community members serving time,” Lacey Spurlock, a Bexar County Right2Justice member, said. “Expanding reading opportunities for those locked up is yet another way we can chip away at the problem of mass incarceration.”
Studies show that inmates who read more while incarcerated are less likely to re-enter the criminal justice system. Working together with community allies, TOP hopes to foster a love of reading behind bars, encourage the pursuit of knowledge and self-empowerment, and help those in jail break the cycle of recidivism, an issue that disproportionately impacts Black and Latino families.
“An incarcerated person shouldn’t be deprived of the chance to rehabilitate themselves through reading,” Spurlock said.
People looking to donate books or funds to purchase books for Quiero Leer can visit their website, or call TOP Right2Justice organizer Raven Peña at (210) 427-8703. Vocational, trade skill, and self-help books are encouraged.
The book drive will continue through May 23, 2019.