Democracy Talks: Access to Books in the Context of Mass Incarceration

Kelly Brotzman, Executive Director of the Prison Book Program in Quincy, MA, will discuss mass incarceration in the US, the role of education in reducing recidivism, the critical role books play for people in prison, and Prison Book Program's role in getting reading material to folks behind bars. 

Kelly Brotzman is the Executive Director of Prison Book Program in Quincy, a 50-year old nonprofit devoted to sending free, high-quality books and reading materials to people in prisons and jails across the country. Under Kelly's leadership, PBP has grown tremendously, holding nearly 200 volunteer sessions per year and expanding to serve incarcerated readers in all 50 states. Her passion for supporting people in prison comes from her experiences teaching college classes in prisons and volunteering as an academic mentor to incarcerated college students. Prior to joining PBP, Kelly spent 20 years in higher education leading offices and programs dedicated to service-learning and teaching classes about social justice, poverty, and inequality. Kelly has a PhD in social ethics from the University of Chicago. In her free time, she likes looking at contemporary art and antiques and being outside, preferably with dogs.