Delta Life Development Center, Inc.
Books Beyond Bars is a literacy initiative of Delta Life Development Center, Inc. committed to expanding access to books within Georgia’s correctional facilities. In partnership with the Georgia Department of Corrections, the program provides meaningful reading materials to incarcerated individuals, recognizing literacy as a powerful tool for personal growth, education, and restoration. Through access to literature, Books Beyond Bars supports educational engagement and promotes restorative justice for historically underserved populations.
BOOKS BEYOND BARS
Click the image to read the 2025 report from the American Library Association that highlights how access to books, literacy programs, and prison libraries can transform lives, reduce recidivism, and strengthen communities. The article explores the critical role reading and education play in creating opportunities, restoring dignity, and supporting successful reentry after incarceration.
READING LITERACY
Why Literacy Matters in Prisons
- Inmates who participate in education programs are 43% less likely to return to prison (RAND, 2013).
- Every $1 spent on prison education saves $4–$5 in reincarceration costs.
- 2 out of 3 incarcerated individuals in the U.S. are functionally illiterate (NCES).
- 85% of youth in juvenile justice are functionally illiterate (Coalition for Juvenile Justice).
- Literacy is directly tied to reduced recidivism, improved mental health, and better employment opportunities post-release.
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