Banned Books Week, an annual event that highlights issues of censorship and emphasies the freedom to read as a human right, will take place during the last week of September. This includes what one can read and who has access to reading – including incarcerated individuals. The program will center on the right to access reading materials in NJ prisons, with information on how to send books to incarcerated family, friends, and neighbors.
Featured speaker, Cassandra Gatelein, is regarded for creating the nonprofit, Books Behind Bars, which is the only program that brings books to prisoners in New Jersey. The presentation will address issues relating to censorship and the most basic right to read. Books Behind Bars is a grassroots, volunteer-run project that provides free books upon request to people incarcerated in New Jersey prisons. For more information, visit: https://www.booksbehindbarsnj.com/)
