Comments on: A Prisoner Reflects on Robert G. Ingersoll

By: lazukor

lazukor — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:42:54 +0000

I did a search, and the prisoner is for murder and armed robbery. He has an opportunity for parole within the next 15 years, I think. Has been behind bars since the 1980s.

There are a lot of prisoners, and after reading what they write, it’s surprising how eloquent they can be. Many committed crimes because of alcohol and drug dependence.

In my work with the Freethought Books Project, I’ve learned how flawed the prison system is. With good drug rehab programs, many of these prisoners could live productive lives.

Instead, they languish in prison. It’s amazing what people will do in the name of “get tough on crime”. They aren’t helping anyone be productive and aren’t addressing the root problem.

By: Book Project Featured on the Friendly Atheist « Reed Secular Alliance

Book Project Featured on the Friendly Atheist « Reed Secular Alliance — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:31:25 +0000

[...] Friday, Hemant Mehta’s The Friendly Atheist blog featured the Freethought Books Project. The November 27th article showcases Michael L’s letter to the Reed Secular Alliance, thanking the group for the books, [...]

By: Matt D

Matt D — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:14:02 +0000

I’m with you OneSTDV, i was struck by the apparent paradox. then i realised that there is no valid basis on which I can assume ALL inmates lack an education.

I’m sure there is a strong correlation between low intelligence/poor education and criminality. But we shouldnt be shocked to find there are those who defy the broader trend.

with prose like that you gotta wonder what the guy is in for? hard to imagine he’s a bank robber.

By: OneSTDV

OneSTDV — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:07:40 +0000

Anyone else surprised a prisoner is so eloquent?

By: lazukor

lazukor — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:15:10 +0000

Thanks. We have been giving away Rhymes For the Irreverent for quite some time now. Prisoners seem to like humor, especially since it helps them deal with their long sentences. I will check out Appleman. Thanks again.

By: muggle

muggle — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:50:40 +0000

Thanks, Leslie. I’ll send them on from now on instead of tossing them.

Actually I have two books of freethought poetry but I like them so much I’m hanging on to them. Check out Phillip Appleman and “Rhymes for the Irreverant” by Yip Harburg at ffrf.org if you’re looking for something along that line with donated money.

I’ve had Phillip Appleman’s “Collected Poems” for a while. He’s an excellent freethought poet and they’re putting one of his in each issue of “Freethought Today” so they’ll read them in those.

Yip Harburg is the guy who wrote “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “Brother Can You Spare a Dime,” along with dozens of others for Broadway and the movies so they’ll know the name and it’s an easy read. I finished it in just over an hour. Some great poetry but some of the drawings are a bit risque though nothing truly offensive, but I don’t know how strict the prisions are about that!

By: lazukor

lazukor — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:19:42 +0000

You can send whatever you want, and it will be put to good use. We have more use for freethought books than for poetry, but if it’s secular poetry, that’s even better.

If you have back issues of Freethought Today, I know that would excite many a prisoner. We have gotten requests for such materials. I’m sure they would enjoy an AU mag or two.

Thanks so much for your interest.

-Leslie

Freethought Books Project

By: muggle

muggle — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:59:02 +0000

Thanks, Leslie! I’ve printed that out to have on hand.

One more question then: what are the guidelines? Fiction? Nonfiction? Poetry? Copies of newsletters from places like FFRF or AU that I toss when I’m finished? Wish I’d known about this before I finished “The God Delusion” but I’m sure I’ll have some forthcoming.

I concur with Jim H. And I figure some enlightenment couldn’t hurt. Given the pressures in our society to conform, I figure it can only help if they can see you can be a noncomformist and moral. Who knows how many are there because they feel outcast by society? I’m sure many are and the report that they’re responding so well to these books would only seem to affirm that.

By: Jim H

Jim H — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:13:21 +0000

I’m just glad to see that someone not like Charles Colson is reaching out to prisoners…

By: lazukor

lazukor — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:00:47 +0000

Thanks for your interest. Of course, you can donate books; such contributions are much appreciated. Here is the address where they can be sent:

Freethought Books Project
Reed Secular Alliance
c/o Leslie A. Zukor
3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., #1170
Portland, OR 97202

I know the prisoners will enjoy them. And you can send the books out media mail, so it won’t cost too much.

-Leslie