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Texas prison system will start banning hardback books going to inmates
This podcast contains comments from the February 20, 2026 meeting of the Texas board of criminal justice.
Starting April 1st, Texas prison inmates will no longer be receiving hardback books.
That's part of a policy change approved by the board governing the prison system.
Last Friday's (February 20) unanimous vote followed staff recommendations that this will reduce the amount of illegal drugs being smuggled inside book spines and book covers.
The prison system's chief programs officer Jason Clark said last year, 78 inmates died of drug overdoses and an undisclosed number of employees received medical treatment after being exposed to drugs.
The chairman of the state prison board, Eric Nichols of Austin, said "There are people, and again I am biting my tongue not to use a different description for these human beings, who want to profit from selling these illegal and dangerous substances in TDCJ facilities and units. And frankly, they don't give a damn whether they kill people or not in making those profits."
The prison board's vote means inmates can receive only softback books in new condition.
Clark said this summer, the prison system will require those wanting to send inmates books to register online and provide information about what they will be sending.
Click HERE to read and download a news release from the Texas prison system.
Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown at the February 20, 2026 state prison board meeting.
Starting April 1st, Texas prison inmates will no longer be receiving hardback books.
That's part of a policy change approved by the board governing the prison system.
Last Friday's (February 20) unanimous vote followed staff recommendations that this will reduce the amount of illegal drugs being smuggled inside book spines and book covers.
The prison system's chief programs officer Jason Clark said last year, 78 inmates died of drug overdoses and an undisclosed number of employees received medical treatment after being exposed to drugs.
The chairman of the state prison board, Eric Nichols of Austin, said "There are people, and again I am biting my tongue not to use a different description for these human beings, who want to profit from selling these illegal and dangerous substances in TDCJ facilities and units. And frankly, they don't give a damn whether they kill people or not in making those profits."
The prison board's vote means inmates can receive only softback books in new condition.
Clark said this summer, the prison system will require those wanting to send inmates books to register online and provide information about what they will be sending.
Click HERE to read and download a news release from the Texas prison system.
Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown at the February 20, 2026 state prison board meeting.
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By Bryan BroadcastingThis podcast contains comments from the February 20, 2026 meeting of the Texas board of criminal justice.
Starting April 1st, Texas prison inmates will no longer be receiving hardback books.
That's part of a policy change approved by the board governing the prison system.
Last Friday's (February 20) unanimous vote followed staff recommendations that this will reduce the amount of illegal drugs being smuggled inside book spines and book covers.
The prison system's chief programs officer Jason Clark said last year, 78 inmates died of drug overdoses and an undisclosed number of employees received medical treatment after being exposed to drugs.
The chairman of the state prison board, Eric Nichols of Austin, said "There are people, and again I am biting my tongue not to use a different description for these human beings, who want to profit from selling these illegal and dangerous substances in TDCJ facilities and units. And frankly, they don't give a damn whether they kill people or not in making those profits."
The prison board's vote means inmates can receive only softback books in new condition.
Clark said this summer, the prison system will require those wanting to send inmates books to register online and provide information about what they will be sending.
Click HERE to read and download a news release from the Texas prison system.
Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown at the February 20, 2026 state prison board meeting.
Starting April 1st, Texas prison inmates will no longer be receiving hardback books.
That's part of a policy change approved by the board governing the prison system.
Last Friday's (February 20) unanimous vote followed staff recommendations that this will reduce the amount of illegal drugs being smuggled inside book spines and book covers.
The prison system's chief programs officer Jason Clark said last year, 78 inmates died of drug overdoses and an undisclosed number of employees received medical treatment after being exposed to drugs.
The chairman of the state prison board, Eric Nichols of Austin, said "There are people, and again I am biting my tongue not to use a different description for these human beings, who want to profit from selling these illegal and dangerous substances in TDCJ facilities and units. And frankly, they don't give a damn whether they kill people or not in making those profits."
The prison board's vote means inmates can receive only softback books in new condition.
Clark said this summer, the prison system will require those wanting to send inmates books to register online and provide information about what they will be sending.
Click HERE to read and download a news release from the Texas prison system.
Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown at the February 20, 2026 state prison board meeting.