The Inside Books Project (IBP) is a books-to-prisons collective founded in 1998 in Austin, Texas. IBP receives over 2,000 requests for books a month from people across the state. Over the years, IBP's incarcerated patrons have sent art, poetry, writing, crafts, and other materials as a thank-you to volunteers and as a means of expression. The IBP Archive (IBPA) was founded in 2015 to preserve and share these materials. The Archive is also documenting IBP Collective History, and TDCJ censorship practices, reflected in records issued to IBP when books sent to patrons are confiscated and destroyed. 

To support IBP's documentation initiatives, please consider becoming a sustainer for $5-20 a month. For one-time donations, general inquiries, or volunteer opportunities, email us at insidebooksarchive@gmail.com

Recently Added Items

Watercolor Reflections on PTSD

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Watercolor painting submitted as part of a series of reflections on creative expression, Autism awareness, mental health, coping, and trauma.…

"Thanks to a Friend"

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Pen drawing of two transfemme people surrounded by books labeled "Happiness and Hope," L.G.B.T.Q," and "Thanks to a Friend." The draiwng also features…

Denial form for "Drawing: A Contemporary Approach" by Teel Sale and Claudia Betti

Betli_Claudia_DrawingAContemporaryApproach_F_sexuallyexplicit_GarzaWestUnit_7.25.14.tiff

Denial form for "Drawing: A Contemporary Approach" by Teel Sale and Claudia Betti due to "sexually explicit images."

Denial form for "Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Graphic Adaptation" by Seymour Chwast

Chwast_Seymour_DantesDivinecomedyGraphicAdaptation_F_sexuallyexplicitimages_FergusonUnit_11.23.11.tiff

Denial form for "Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Graphic Adaptation" by Seymour Chwast due to "sexually explicit images." Patron requested appeal.

Denial form for "Dessa Rose" by Sherley A Williams

SherleyAnneWilliams_DessaRose_ML-48_D_racialslurs_sexwithaminor_11.2016.tiff

Denial form for "Dessa Rose" by Sherley A Williams because "(d) a specific determination has been made that the publication is detrimental to…

Denial form for "The Best of the Group of Seven" by Joan Murray

JoanMurray_TheBestofTheGroupOfSeven_NJ_F_sexuallyexplicitimages_08.13.tiff

Denial form for "The Best of the Group of Seven" by Joan Murray because it "contains sexually explicit images."