Prison Book Clubs

With prison librarians, I expanded my teaching into three California state prisons by creating book club programs in 2019. The clubs provide incarcerated individuals with opportunities to engage critically with feminist and criminological theory through a structured curriculum. What began with personal fundraising has since grown into a vibrant program supported by grants from Sociologists for Women in Society, CSU Sacramento, and other sources. Building on this work, I launched Partners in Writing with librarian Ms. Turner, a program for students and incarcerated book club members, pairing them together to exchange letters on theory and cases of green crime. This exchange not only strengthens participants’ writing and analytical skills but also fosters dialogue between students and individuals with lived experience of incarceration, challenging stereotypes and building connections across communities. 

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The book clubs have expanded, reading new books, and now have Sac State interns. We are always looking for more opportunities for speakers, books, and interested volunteers.

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Please check out our website here to learn more.