Books Over Walls

“Thanks again, and we really do appreciate what y’all do. I know it sounds so simple, getting a book, but waking up with a new book slid under your door, is truly like Christmas morning in this environment of gray walls and constant routine.”         Letter from incarcerated person

Books over Walls is a JUST program that sends books of choice to those incarcerated in the Broome County Jail. Over a thousand books have been sent in over the last few years. Anyone inside can order one book every month at or under $15.00. Costs are covered by donations from the public, and all donations go towards purchasing books which must be ordered from an approved online vendor—we can’t just mail in books. Faith groups, grants, faculty, and individuals have all donated.

Incarcerated individuals in the Broome County Jail are trapped with few resources, often for years. Given the jail’s pitifully small, difficult-to-access “library,” books are a coveted resource.

Donate! We are grateful for any donations no matter how big or small. Our inside partners make every effort to share books with each other, so one book goes a long way! You can donate by

• our Gofundme for Books, or
• or by check paid to “Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier”, JUST, POB 93, Bible School Park, NY 13737. Please specify you want your donation to go to books.
• or use this CR code:

If you want to request a book for someone inside BC jail please write to Books Over Walls JUST, PO Box 93, Bible School Park, NY 13737. 

Here is more of the feedback we’ve received:

“Having crossword books is wonderful… I get to actually engage my brain and think! It is a mindless sad existence here… thank you again”

“I greatly appreciate you taking the time to bring me a little light in this hard time of my life….”

“Thank you so much for your time and consideration. You are appreciated so much by me and the other men that I pass the book along to after my reading it.”