The Free Library’s Prison Services offers services and programs to incarcerated Philadelphians in the Philadelphia Prison System. Each month more than 500 inmates at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, Riverside Correctional Facility, and Alternative and Special Detention take advantage of the book-lending program.

Programs at Philadelphia Prison System

Starting in February 2016, the Free Library—in partnership with the Philadelphia Prison System—introduced two new services for incarcerated parents, returning citizens, their children, and their families. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Stories Alive

Stories Alive sessions will offer the incarcerated parent an opportunity to read a book to his or her child through live video conferencing stations set up both in the prison and in neighborhood libraries. This video visit will be on a computer screen, similar to Skype or FaceTime. Free books will be given to families who participate! Learn more.

Temporary Library Card

Upon their release, Curran-Fromhold and Riverside returning citizens who have used the prison libraries or participated in Stories Alive will immediately receive a temporary library card and a re-entry resource packet.

Stories Alive

Read a book to your child through live video conferencing stations set up both in the prison and in neighborhood libraries.

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Press

How the Free Library is helping incarcerated parents spend quality time with their kids
Generocity
For the past six months, the library's "Stories Alive" program has helped nearly 40 incarcerated parents spend an hour reading with their kids via video conference.

New Program Aims to Bring Together Families Separated by Incarceration
CBS
Can reading help mend families separated by incarceration? That’s the idea behind a new Free Library of Philadelphia program at the city’s largest prison.

Contact

For more information, please contact:

Prison Services
Widener Neighborhood Library
2808 W. Lehigh Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19132
267- 257-3015
prisonservices@freelibrary.org

Volunteer

Learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Blog Posts

Stories Alive session

Free Library Prison Services Success

We are thrilled that  Stories Alive , a partnership between the Free Library Prison Services program and the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, has been successfully up and running for more than a year. The program helps build and maintain relationships between incarcerated parents and their children through reading. Participating… continue reading

By Micaela G.   March 27, 2017    children's programs family programs literacy Prison Services

Reading together

One Year of Stories Alive: Looking Back and Planning Ahead

Incarcerated mothers and fathers face many challenges to maintain bonds with their children in the face of difficult circumstances. Limited time in prison visiting rooms is not always enough. Using videoconferencing technology, the Free Library’s Stories Alive program offers an opportunity for a different kind of visit. Children come to a… continue reading

By Micaela G.   December 28, 2016    2   children's programs social justice Prison Services

All Blog Posts

Partners

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is pleased to recognize, with grateful appreciation, the following individuals and organizations whose generosity provided for the expansion of the Prison Services Program.

© 2017 Free Library of Philadelphia | Phone: 215-686-5322