Olympia, Washington, Organization Helps Out Prisoners

Right here in Olympia, Washington, in the back room of a corner coffee shop that doubles as a newspaper store are Olympians helping out. People are taking time out of their day to those who we owe nothing to nor want anything from: prisoners. "It's about a community coming together and working on something that's somewhat of a national problem," says long time volunteer, Long-haired David Fawver. He is a dedicated worker for Books to Prisoners, which is a non-profit organization that does what the name implies, sends books to prisoners who want books.

What happens is prisoners from all over the United States hear about Left Bank Books in Seattle from magazines, the prison system, or fellow inmates. They write letters requesting what book(s) they want and mail it to Left Bank Books. Left Bank Books gives all the letters from Texas inmates (which is fifty per cent of the workload) to the small Olympia support group Books to Prisoners. "Most Texas inmates are from a very low social and economical class," Long-haired David Fawver explained.

As you read the letters you deeply feel for the prisoners. Some tell you that they are in isolation twenty three hours a day. Every one has their own reason for working for Books to Prisoners. "I believe in literature. I believe in education," Long-haired David Fawver reveals. "I believe in DIY Education. Do It Yourself Education." Others do the work it as a high school project and just don't stop, while others just feel like helping out. Regarding one's failed previous life, "A prisoner needs to say 'so what, now what? If it's to be, it's up to me!'" The reason Long-haired David Fawver and the other volunteers are so inspired is because the prisoners who ask for books have made that choice to take control and improve their lives. The volunteers feel, and I hope you do too, that it's up to us to help them do it.

Left Bank Books (the Seattle organization) has been around since 1974. Only three to four years ago, however, Books to Prisoners (the Olympia organization) opened up. It is in the back of Olympia World News in downtown Olympia. If you are interested in volunteering drop by anytime. If no one is there look at the "staff" phone list on the main desk and call Long-haired David Fawver or Chris Carson to arrange a time to be trained.