Book Clubs for Inmates

Today is Prisoners’ Justice Day, an international movement to honour those who have died while incarcerated and to call for justice, accountability, and dignity for those who are held behind bars.

The first Prisoners’ Justice Day began in 1975, one year after the death of Eddie Nalon at Ontario’s Millhaven Institution; Eddie tragically took his own life after weeks of being held unjustly in segregation and solitary confinement. One year later, Robert (“Bobby”) Landers also died at Millhaven Institution while in solitary confinement, after his calls for medical help went unanswered. Last year, Correctional Service Canada reported 72 deaths in federal prisons across our country; this issue is far from over.

Today, many of our book club members are peacefully participating in a one-day hunger strike and work refusal protest; this includes abstaining from our programming. We stand in solidarity with our readers and we encourage our entire community to join us in remembering, reflecting, and advocating for a future that is safe, equitable, and just for all.

June 21, 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Today is also the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For generations, many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have celebrated their cultures, languages, and traditions at this time of year. This day offers everyone the opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the rich and diverse history and heritage of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.

Many of our book club members are Indigenous; in fact, Indigenous adults make up 33% of Canada’s incarcerated population, despite accounting for only 5% of the Canadian adult population. This disparity is even worse for Indigenous women, who now account for roughly 50% of all federally incarcerated women in Canada. There can be no true reconciliation without reckoning with Canada’s deeply and persistently racist incarceration systems.

We encourage our community to continue reading the work of Indigenous authors, and to continue educating themselves about the history of Indigenous peoples across our nation. We are proud to share BCFI’s ten most ordered, read, and recommended Indigenous-authored titles, as selected by our book club members.

Envie de vous impliquer ? Devenez bénévole auprès de Book Clubs for Inmates.
Quelques heures par mois suffisent pour faire une différence durable.

https://bookclubsforinmates.com/volunteer/

Looking to give back? Volunteer with Book Clubs for Inmates.
Just a few hours a month can make a lasting impact.

https://bookclubsforinmates.com/volunteer/

It's National Volunteer Week and this year's theme is Ignite Volunteerism. We are incredibly grateful to our book club and ChIRP volunteers, without whom we would not be able to run our programming. To each and every one of our volunteers, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for dedicating your time every month to fostering literacy, connection, and hope for the future. Your work makes a critical positive difference in building a stronger, healthier, and more compassionate Canada — thank you again for all that you do!

C’est la Semaine nationale du bénévolat et le thème de cette année est « Dynamisez le bénévolat ». Nous sommes infiniment reconnaissants envers les bénévoles de notre club de lecture et du programme ChIRP, sans qui nos activités seraient impossibles. À chacun de nos bénévoles, du fond du cœur, MERCI de consacrer votre temps chaque mois à promouvoir l’alphabétisation, les liens sociaux et l’espoir en l’avenir. Votre travail contribue de manière essentielle à bâtir un Canada plus fort, plus sain et plus solidaire. Merci encore pour tout ce que vous faites !

Pour postuler, rendez-vous sur : https://www.bookclubsforinmates.com/volunteer-1

Pour plus d’informations, consultez : https://www.bookclubsforinmates.com/chirp

Merci !

Book Clubs for Inmates Transforming lives, one book at a time.

To apply, go to: https://www.bookclubsforinmates.com/volunteer-1

For more information, check out: https://www.bookclubsforinmates.com/chirp

Thank you!