When Books Become Contraband: The Mental Health Crisis of Prison Book Bans
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Books have long served as windows to the world, tools for self-discovery, and, crucially, lifelines for mental well-being. But in America's prisons, these lifelines are increasingly being cut. The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander's examination of mass incarceration, has faced bans in several state prison systems, including in New Jersey, where it took ACLU intervention to reverse the ban in 2018. Literary works that most Americans can readily access—books about mental health, personal growth, and civil rights—regularly appear on prison restricted lists. These aren't isolated incidents or arbitrary decisions; they represent a systematic pattern of censorship that's taking a devastating psychological toll on those behind bars, precisely where mental health resources are already scarce.
Reading as a Mental Lifeline
This restriction of reading materials comes at a particularly crucial time. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 37% of state and federal prisoners have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. In environments where mental health resources are often limited, books can serve as vital tools for psychological well-being.
While research specific to U.S. prisons is limited, a study of Prison Reading Groups in the UK Ministry of Justice showed that reading programs helped reduce feelings of isolation among incarcerated individuals and provided safe spaces for emotional expression. While the US prison system differs from the UK's, this research offers insights into how access to books can support mental well-being in restricted environments.
The Reality of Restrictions
The scope of these restrictions is staggering. According to PEN America's 2022 report "Reading Between the Lines", Texas prisons alone have banned nearly 10,000 books, including works about mental health, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ issues. These restrictions can limit access to materials that might help incarcerated individuals understand and manage their own mental health challenges.
Access and Impact
Despite these restrictions, prison book programs across the country continue their efforts to provide reading materials. The Prison Book Program in Massachusetts serves approximately 1,300 prisoners annually, while the New York Public Library's Correctional Services program provides library services across all NYC Department of Corrections facilities. However, navigating the complex web of restrictions means that getting mental health resources, self-help books, and other supportive materials to incarcerated individuals remains a significant challenge.
Looking Forward
The intersection of prison book bans and mental health presents a critical challenge in American corrections. While 37% of incarcerated individuals face diagnosed mental health conditions, the policies restricting their access to books—including materials about mental health and personal growth—continue to limit potential resources for understanding and managing their well-being.
The success of the ACLU's challenge to New Jersey's ban of "The New Jim Crow" demonstrates that these restrictions aren't immutable. But change requires sustained attention to a difficult question: In a system where over a third of the population faces mental health challenges, can we justify policies that restrict access to books that might help?
Organizations like the Prison Book Program and NYPL's Correctional Services continue their work within these constraints, suggesting that the value of books behind bars extends far beyond entertainment. As we continue to examine and debate prison policies, the mental health impact of book bans deserves a central place in the conversation.
