AUTHORS
“When people come in and meet those inmates and show them some love, some attention, some interest, some conversation share some hours with them, converse and talk about things that are important to them, allow them to live in their minds and escape the walls of their imprisonment, it’s incredibly uplifting to them.”
Lawrence Hill, author of The Book of Negroes
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“Reading helps us imagine a better world. It introduces us to a world of ideas: a world of possibilities.”
Stephen Reid, author of A Crowbar in the Buddhist Garden and Jackrabbit Parole
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“BCFI gives inmates hope in the form of the written word, which carries the human experience and connects us to each other. Books remind us that our stories matter and that the world is not black and white. I'm grateful to the amazing volunteers and organizers of BCFI for giving me an invaluable opportunity.”
Marina Nemat, author of Prisoner of Tehran
VOLUNTEERS
“I have volunteered with a number of community organizations and non-profits, and NONE have brought me the deep sense of satisfaction that the book club has: the inmates are so profoundly grateful for every moment we spend with them in civilized, intelligent discussion - and they tell us that every time we go. Thank you to Carol and BCFI for making this opportunity available to us!”
Isobel Heathcote, volunteer at Beaver Creek Institution, Medium Unit
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“The book club has given me the opportunity to share a love of literature and reading with a unique group, to listen to a variety of opinions and responses and to engage in discussion...as well as to spur me to read books I would otherwise not have picked up. It is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”
Audrey Young, Volunteer, Stony Mountain Institution
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”We are constantly amazed at the depth of some of the fellows. The conversation had gone from the First World War to the Second to Rwanda, to Syria, to Iraq, and on and on... The announcer on the intercom came through with the next projects but these fellows didn’t even stop and listen because they were so involved in the conversation.”
Lorna Watkinson-Zimmer, volunteer at Bowden Institution
CSC STAFF
“The book club brings together women in a positive environment who normally would not interact on a daily basis. This builds communication, pro social skills, and their views on the world are changed. It has been a great honour to have Lawrence Hill and Marina Nemat come speak with our groups, empowering the women, and enabling them to see outside of themselves and to have hope for their futures.”
Carroll Calder, Librarian, CSC, Grand Valley Institution for Women
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“Prison can be a very dark and negative place to be for inmates, but by having an inmate book club, it provides a very stimulating and positive bright light for inmates.”
Bob Fasching, Librarian, CSC, Warkworth Institution