Prison Library Project Launches 'Contrabanned' to Combat Censorship of Women's Health Books in Prisons

The Prison Library Project, in collaboration with OHG's Purpose Group, has unveiled 'Contrabanned,' a groundbreaking women's health literacy campaign aimed at circumventing the widespread banning of women's health books in state prison systems. This initiative comes during Prison Banned Books Week, highlighting the absurdity of labeling educational material on female anatomy as 'sexually explicit.' The 'Contrabanned' book represents a creative solution to this issue, with each of its 250 pages sent as individual letters to incarcerated women, exploiting the fact that while books may be banned, letters are not.

The execution of this project is as innovative as its conception. Over three months, pages were sent to an incarcerated former nurse, who then assembled them into a complete book using dental floss from the prison commissary. This individual also distributed printouts to fellow inmates, enabling them to compile their own copies. The content, crafted by female health literacy experts and medical students, covers essential topics such as menstrual health, breast cancer, and sexual health, tailored for the 975,000 incarcerated women in the U.S., 70% of whom read below a fourth-grade level.

Mckenna Deluca of the Prison Library Project emphasizes the dual impact of 'Contrabanned': 'It showcases the power of knowledge and peer education, which research indicates can reduce risky behavior and recidivism rates.' Dina Peck, Chief Creative Officer of OHG's Purpose Group, points out the campaign's broader significance: 'It sheds light on the increasing censorship of women's health literature in prisons, advocating for universal access to health education.'

Supporters are encouraged to sign a petition at https://chng.it/x47hTdgcgf, aiming to make 'Contrabanned' the first approved women's health book across the prison system. Dr. Susan Andreas, a contributor to the book, underscores the public health imperative: 'Access to health-literate content can mitigate higher hospitalization rates and chronic conditions among women with limited health literacy.'

To commemorate the launch, the Prison Library Project will host a livestream on September 20th, accessible at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81498785807, offering insights into the project's development and its potential to transform health education for incarcerated women.