Download Application Form Microsoft Word file. If you need the application in a different format, please email susan [at] booksthroughbars.org

The majority of prisoners have not completed high school. Many try to use the time of their imprisonment to earn a GED, acquire marketable knowledge and skills, or simply learn more about a topic that interests them. Even though research shows that educational programs go along way towards keeping prisoners from committing crimes and returning to prison after their release, such programs are not available to many prisoners. At the same time, funding, overcrowding, and other issues limit the number, scope, and quality of courses, educational resources, and libraries. As a result, Books Through Bars was formed to send packages of educational materials to prisoners.

Volunteer Activity
Volunteers will meet at Books Through Bars’ University City/West Philadelphia office to select and package educational materials that will be sent via mail to prisoners throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Packages will be carefully selected to correspond to individual prisoners’ literacy level, formal or informal educational training, and current educational goals.

Qualifications
Because volunteers will be helping prisoners to form, work towards, and evaluate their personal educational goals, Books Through Bars seeks applicants who are looking to apply and expand skills they have developed (or are currently developing) as adult literacy instructors, middle and high school teachers, librarians, and other education-related fields. In addition, applicants should demonstrate interest in and willingness to:

• Participate in a team-based approach to prisoner support
• Build relationships with prisoners to help them reach their personal educational goals
• Develop their own knowledge and skill base

Expectations
Volunteers will be expected to participate in a 2 ½-hour training, which will provide an overview of pertinent adult literacy and criminal justice issues. Book packaging sessions will be held monthly and volunteers will be expected to participate in as many of these 3-hour sessions as possible.*

Process
If interested, please complete the attached application form and email it, along with a resume or listing of relevant employment and educational experiences, to susan [at] booksthroughbars.org. A representative of Books Through Bars will contact you within a week to schedule an interview. Successful applicants will receive initial training from Books Through Bars as well as ongoing support, as needed.

*Books Through Bars will select a session time that accommodates the individual scheduling preferences of the majority of volunteers.