A Title Wave of Contention: Va. Ban on Prison Book Program Prompts Protests

"To me, this makes no sense whatsoever," McDowell said of the state's decision. "I can think of no better use of one's time in that position than to elevate and expand the mind. Reading does that."

Books Behind Bars traces its history back two decades, when Quest Bookshop received a letter from a convicted killer asking to buy a book on Taoism. Allison wrote back, adding a few fliers about lectures the shop held on Buddhism, self-help and other topics. The inmate responded with a list of questions. He and Allison became pen pals.

Allison, who eventually visited the man in prison, said she met someone "who made a stupid mistake one evening of drinking and shot someone." During his years in prison, Allison said, the man had become spiritual and wanted to learn. She wanted to help, and Books Behind Bars was born.

Books Behind Bars gets about 500 letters each month from inmates. Churches and other groups donate books and money. John Grisham has given hundreds of copies of his books.

The program's popularity has contributed to the decision to halt it. Virginia inmates are allowed only 13 books in their cells. Traylor said the steady supply of free books from Quest "led to more staff-intensive efforts of controlling the number of books that an offender had."

Over the years, several state officials have applauded the program. In a July 1994 letter, then-Gov. George Allen (R) said Quest's work "benefited incarcerated offenders, corrections staff and Virginia taxpayers." In a July 2005 letter to wardens, Corrections Department Director Gene Johnson wrote that "it is the belief of both the Department and of Quest Institute that if an inmate is reading, s/he is productively employing his or her time while incarcerated."

One inmate who had gotten a Books Behind Bars shipment sent a letter to Allison to say he had become the first in his family to receive a general equivalency diploma.

"The free books you send me are a blessing," he wrote. "I read everyone of them from front to back." He asked her to send Shakespeare and Ernest Hemingway.

Allison, who is appealing the program's cancellation to the state, said she would limit the number of books sent to each inmate at one time or make other changes. But she is hopeful that the program can continue.

"I can't imagine sitting in a cell without any books," she said.