A HOUSE COMMITTEE IS DISCUSSING THE REMOVAL OF MORE THAN 200 BOOKS FROM A DOWNSTATE STATE PRISON LIBRARY.

THE BOOKS WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE DANVILLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER’S EDUCATION JUSTICE PROJECT COLLECTION…USED BY INMATES TAKING COLLEGE COURSES. THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR…REBECCA GINSBURG WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SAYS THE BOOKS ARE A VITAL PART OF THE CURRICULUM.

PROGRAM COORDINATORS SAYS THE BOOKS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CURRICULUM…AND ARE BEING REMOVED OR DENIED ARBITRARILY. JEFFREYS SAYS MOST HAVE SINCE BEEN RETURNED AND THAT POLICIES ARE BEING REWRITTEN.

JEFFREYS SAYS THE DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO OFFERING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO INMATES IN HOPES OF GETTING THEM ON A BETTER PATH ONCE RELEASED.