Women Behind Bars Get Hope From Books

By Jason Cohen

Rikers Island, where women are rehabilitated through the power of reading.

Isolation, loneliness, depression and boredom are only a few of the things that can affect a person in prison. But Michelle McGowan, a volunteer at the women's prison at Rikers Island, has given a glimmer of hope to these women by bringing books into their lives.

McGowan, 23, of Bushwick, Brooklyn is a recent graduate of Columbia University with a Master's in social work, who interned with Steps to End Family Violence, an Alternative to Incarceration, for a year and a half. The program addresses the needs of domestic violence survivors who have been charged with crimes related to the abuse they have experienced. In February, McGowan started volunteering at the prison where she holds support groups for women who are incarcerated for domestic violence.

"No one is more upset about what happened than they are," she said.

Once she got to know her clients, she decided to broach the idea of bringing a few books in for them. The women were receptive to the suggestion of having the opportunity to read. While not all of them read on the same level, everyone agreed to help each other, McGowan said.

"I wanted to bring the books in there," McGowan said. "I noticed a lot of women couldn't read."

McGowan realized she couldn't afford to keep bringing books in; she needed donations. A system of inmates and pen pals corresponding was established: inmates send letters asking for books; the letters and books are delivered to a bike shop that her friend owns a few blocks from her house so she can screen them making sure everything is okay.

"People are writing out of their kindness of their heart," she said.

Because many of these women do not get visitors, and they suffer from substance abuse and mental health issues, reading books is often the highlight of their day, McGowan said. Not only has she bonded with her clients, but reading has brought them even closer.

"They look forward to me coming," she said.

Besides their prison uniforms and tennis shoes, these women have no belongings; by receiving books they now have possessions, McGowan said. As news spread throughout the prison about the flood of books, this humble volunteer was coined the "domestic violence book girl."

Because of the backgrounds of the women, the majority of the books they read are urban fiction, which deals with violence, prostitution and drugs. Her clients "pay it forward," passing the books on to other inmates once they are done with them.

"The people that help each other really feel good," she said.

Lucia Rivera, the director of Steps, said she knows how important it is to help women in the program. What she is doing with the women is remarkable and she should be recognized.

"Being able to use books to spur discussion and share experiences has been very helpful," Rivera said.

Sharman Stein, the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information of the NYC Department of Corrections, said McGowan is making a difference in the women's lives.

"Providing opportunities for self-improvement to inmates is one of the Department's key priorities," Stein said. "We support all initiatives to bring books and other helpful materials to incarcerated men and women, to help them make the most of their time in jail, and to help prepare them for life after their release."

Reach Intern Jason Cohen at jcohen@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 124.