Midwest Books to Prisoners
@MidwestBooks2P
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We are a 501c3 not-for-profit that sends books and other reading material to people incarcerated free of charge to them. Started in Chicago in 2004
Chicago
Joined February 2021
We meet every Saturday at noon to support incarcerated people by sending literature, letters, and birthday cards. We would love to see you here!
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Illinois is standing strong against Trump's attacks on migrant community communities & the Pretrial Fairness Act. Over the weekend, @AAAJ_Chicago & Nikkei Uprising spoke to 150+ people about the need to defend Illinois' pretrial reforms. Take Action https://t.co/t8ERzq85oa
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At least 20 people have died in ICE custody in 2025, making this year the deadliest in decades. With increases to ICE’s funding, workforce, and detention space, the system riddled with abuse and neglect will undoubtedly be more life-threatening in 2026. https://t.co/NWN4wrDyhZ
npr.org
There have been at least 20 deaths in ICE custody in 2025, the deadliest year since 2004. As the agency is ramping up hiring and increasing detentions, concerns remain about how to stop the trend.
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THURSDAY! ILPublic radio stations will air “The Story of Violence,” written by IPP Ambassador Toussaint Daniels, as part of the Dixon Prison Performing Arts program & Mud Theater Project. Listen on WBEZ’s “Prisoncast!” 7pm Nov. 6, on 91.5 FM or stream at https://t.co/jqFtU5O93c
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Not so fun fact: The most banned book in US prisons is… a cookbook😐 This week is Prison Banned Books Week – the system’s attack on books is sinister, to say the least, and emerging technology, like tablets, is not helping. Here’s what you should know: https://t.co/Iv77cm597u
prisonpolicy.org
Instead of taking advantage of their possibilities, the companies that got rich off prison phone calls offer limited book selections on tablets, as part of ...
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NLG Chicago Responds to Attacks on Free Speech at the Broadview Detention Center: https://t.co/WVYszx4YqQ
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Last week, our members testified the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting. We called on the Board to freeze law enforcement spending to protect funding for essential services like violence prevention, behavioral health, and community investment.
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NLG Chicago Denounces Continued Violence from Federal Law Enforcement and Attacks on Free Speech and Press in Broadview, Illinois On Saturday, September 27, 2025, NLG Chicago witnessed alarming and violent attacks on those assembled to protest at the Broadview detention facility
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"Now, advocates are concerned over how this could impact the wellbeing of those inside and their loved ones." https://t.co/71gCZ02IVP
news.wttw.com
Beginning immediately, non-privileged mail will be opened and inspected for contraband, scanned in color, then be uploaded to an individual’s tablet, the department announced Monday. Nearly all...
The Illinois Department of Corrections will now permanently scan most physical mail sent to incarcerated people and distribute it electronically. https://t.co/tuP3TyF6oZ
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We know from other states that mail scanning is NOT an effective solution to eliminate contraband in prisons. In PA, the drug problem in state prisons got worse after mail scanning.
pennlive.com
The drug problem in state prisons has, by some reports, actually become worse since the mail system was put in place.
The Illinois Department of Corrections will now permanently scan most physical mail sent to incarcerated people and distribute it electronically. https://t.co/tuP3TyF6oZ
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I am saddened by this. Casey has done so much to support political education inside prisons not just through True Leap Press but on his own.
Casey Goonan was just sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for burning a UC Berkeley police car in solidarity with the Berkeley Palestine encampment. Nobody was hurt. Prosecutors had actually asked for less, but the judge went further, applying a “terrorism enhancement”
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after spending over 2 months in a Wisconsin county jail for refusing to cooperate with the grand jury. Hridindu Roychowdhury is back in federal prison in southern Illinois. here is his current address for letters of support & solidarity!
solidarity with Hridindu Roychowdhury! he is currently earning no time towards his 7 year federal sentence because he's being held in contempt in a county jail in Wisconsin for refusing to cooperate with a grand jury! he's refusing to snitch! check out the flyers below!
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#BannedBooksWeek is just around the corner (October 6–12). As we prepare for this week, we want to remind you of the ongoing struggle against prison censorship. Don't forget that the largest book ban in the United States is behind bars:
bookriot.com
The state of book bans and censorship in American prisons. Where and how advocates can change this rampant First Amendment violation.
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We're beyond proud of IPP Ambassador Fellowship grad Stanley Howard, who just published this powerful op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times describing the terrors of solitary confinement, and the growing international movement to end it. Read the full article: https://t.co/9AGYRyGUrm
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Today, Illinois celebrates the second anniversary of the successful implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act and the end of money bond! Read our full statement here: https://t.co/4rzigvkXlp
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Amid a debate over whether physical mail is a major entryway for illicit substances in Illinois prisons, the Department of Corrections issued an emergency rule to instead scan mail. But a legislative committee has decided it doesn’t warrant an emergency. https://t.co/BMiDxYE2SM
news.wttw.com
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules objected to the Illinois Department of Corrections’ emergency rule allowing facilities to electronically scan mail. The objection does not stop the...
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A legislative panel formally objected to emergency rules that allow the Illinois Department of Corrections to withhold mail from incarcerated people. @peterqhancock reports.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Article Summary A legislative panel formally objected to emergency rules that allow the Illinois Department of Corrections to withhold mail
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From Palestine to Turtle Island, prisoners continually demonstrate that they are the vanguard of resistance. May we live to one day see every brick and every shackle of these inhumane institutions turned to dust.
“Alligator Alcatraz” is being emptied following a judge’s order & there was an uprising by detainees on Aug 28 after a 14 day hunger strike. Guards used tear gas & beatings..This victory belongs to the captives who fought 4 dignity in unbearable conditions
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Check out the zine of our interview with Malik Muhammad, 2020 uprising prisoner and anarchist in the Oregon prison system on conditions inside, solitary confinement, keeping connections with the outside and sources of hope. This and more at https://t.co/jsaYLDcc2x
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🚨CALLING ALL CHICAGO! Join us in the streets to say "NO TRUMP, NO TROOPS!" this Saturday September 6th at Ida B. Wells and Michigan Ave at 5PM. WHEN THEY COME, WE DON'T FREEZE, WE ORGANIZE, WE TAKE THE STREETS! See you in the streets!
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We are organizing to stop this egregious "emergency" attempt to censor and repress our comrades already doing hard time Politicians and prison guard unions are lying so they can implement mail scanning services from profiteering communication monopolies https://t.co/2INvZ0qUQ7
Under an emergency rule, the Illinois Department of Corrections is moving to allow prisons across the state to electronically scan and distribute mail. IDOC states this is to prevent the smuggling of contraband and hazardous substances. https://t.co/ue8gV8L66A
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