Reported in the World Journal (Dec. 26), Chinese books and magazines are urgently needed for Chinese prisoners in New York. The Prisoners' Reading Encouragement Project, Inc. (PREP) supports libraries and educational programs at eight New York State facilities. New and gently used books, audiotapes and videos in the following categories are most often requested by our librarians and program counselors There are sixty Chinese prisoners in one prison, but the prison has only 20 books in Chinese. For donation of books, contact Ms. Lin at 718 651-0662 or send books directly to 145 Nassau Street, 3A, New York, NY.
PREP is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated in November 2000, to serve as a
support organization to prison libraries and educational programs. Its mission is threefold: (1) to
enhance literacy and educational opportunities for inmates by soliciting and making gifts to prison libraries;
(2) to educate the public about the need for libraries and educational programming within
correctional facilities; and (3) to establish scholarship funds for tuition and textbooks for inmates
engaged in courses or independent study while in prison.
The organization's activities are conducted entirely by volunteers, currently all professional women
with careers outside the criminal justice system. PREP operates with donated books, services and
cash contributions, which are used to purchase needed books that tend not to be donated. PREP
works in cooperation with the New York State Department of Correctional Services, which
provides advice, contacts with prison libraries in need of support and transport from our New
York City collection area to correctional facilities.