Freedom to Read
“It’s a First Amendment right to have access to books when you’re in prison and you're in jail.”
Kosha Tucker, ACLU of Georgia Staff Attorney
“The Supreme Court of the United States has established that people who are detained have the First Amendment right to read a wide range of books and literature. Depriving people in jail of opportunities to read and limiting their ability to do so is not only fundamentally at odds with the First Amendment, but also with the rehabilitative ideal.
“Reading and staying in touch with the outside world are among the few ways individuals can occupy their time in positive and self-directed ways at virtually no cost to the Sheriff’s Department.” – Kosha Tucker, staff attorney of the ACLU of Georgia.
In the News
Press Releases
ACLU First Amendment Victory: Chatham County Detention Center Rescinds Unconstitutional Ban on Books and Publications
Press Release: ACLU of Georgia Urges Cobb County Sheriff’s Office to Rescind Policy Banning the Marietta Daily Journal at the Detention Center
News Articles
ACLU says new book policy at Chatham jail violates inmates’ rights
Cobb sheriff now says he withheld newspaper article critical of jail
Georgia prison libraries short on books and titles, AJC analysis finds
‘Freedom to read’: ACLU pens letter to Chatham County sheriff on inmate book policy
ACLU warns Cobb sheriff not to block constituents on Facebook
ACLU warns Cobb Sheriff over Facebook page