Who We Are

The 3R’s (Reading Reduces Recidivism) Project is a statewide effort to build the library resources available to adult prisoners in the 27 prisons in the state of Illinois. Our goal is to have prison libraries ‘adopted’ by small groups in nearby population centers. In coordination with the librarian at each prison, these local groups will collect targeted books for donation to the prisons. 3R’s is a partner of Urbana-Champaign Books to Prisoners, and member of the Alliance 1-11 coalition.

Why 3R’s?

The 3R’s Project arose in recognition of how the crisis in Illinois state funding has affected crucial programs and libraries in state prisons. Since 2002, when the budget line item for library materials was removed, many prisons have lost their librarians; in addition, circulation materials (distinct from legal materials, which are required by law) have stagnated, leaving the libraries with few up-to-date books and little recourse for replenishing them.

While we intend local groups to provide donated books to restock prison libraries as an immediate solution, we also want the Illinois Department of Corrections to make an effort to address this long-term problem of education and materials. We believe that IDOC should find or reallocate funds to keep the libraries stocked with recent reading materials, hire new librarians to vacant positions, create space and time for prisoners to access the libraries, and hire prisoners as library assistants to help maintain collections and distribute materials to the general population.

The 3R’s Project further developed through our understanding that reading really does reduce recidivism, which is currently at 51% in Illinois. Books, magazines, and other materials not only make sense economically, but also in terms of prisoners’ mental health and ability to connect with the world when they return to our communities. It is fiscally sound, and it is humane.