Protecting The Right
To Read
Founded in 2014, Big House Books was born from a simple belief: the power of books can educate, inspire, and transform lives. We believe that a book is more than paper—it is a tool for rehabilitation. Mississippi has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, yet many facilities lack functioning libraries. We exist to fill that void and ensure that every person has access to education and imagination, regardless of their circumstances.
Protecting The Right
To Read
Since 2014, we’ve been a bridge between Mississippi’s prisons and the outside world.
We believe that a book is more than paper—it is a tool for rehabilitation. In a state with one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, we ensure that every person has access to education and imagination, regardless of their circumstances
Our Mission
We believe that a book is more than paper …
It is a tool for rehabilitation. In a state with one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, we ensure that every person has access to education and imagination, regardless of their circumstances.
Program Assistant
Miranda
Miranda serves as our Program Assistant, primarily managing volunteer group coordination, communications, and outreach to correctional facilities.

"Big House Books welcomed me when I was new in town. I was looking for ways to get involved in the community and meet new people. Not only did I find a sense of purpose through the mission, but I’ve met some of my closest friends here."
Contact Miranda: miranda@bighousebooksms.org
Board Members
At the heart of Big House Books is a team of advocates who bring unique expertise and passion to every weekly volunteer session, helping ensure that hundreds of books are delivered each week to incarcerated readers.
Ashley
“Volunteering for Big House Books means being more holistic in my efforts to support individuals of our communities, even during incarceration. Giving the gift of literacy inspires hope, enlightenment, imagination, and ultimately advancement.”
Bettie
“Filling requests from individuals housed in Mississippi’s correctional facilities is very gratifying for me. And serving in this capacity as part of a group of devoted volunteers is a privilege; we work together to protect the right to read.”
Cole
"When I volunteer, I get this deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. I was someone’s uplift. I gave someone hope for the future."
Danielle
"I volunteer with Big House Books because I believe that education is a right not a privilege. I love to read, books have helped me through the darkest of days. By volunteering I hope to help someone else through their dark days as well.”
Holly
“I volunteer with Big House Books because it’s fun! We throw a “party” every week and the end result provides free books and a bit of hope to readers across the state. We'd love for you to join us any Sunday!”
Larry
“If you’re looking at the state of the world and thinking “What can I do?” Big House Books gives me and the other volunteers a concrete way to answer that question: by putting books into the hands of people who need them the most.”
Mallory
"I volunteer with Big House Books because of my personal love for reading, and I believe everyone deserves access to books. Reading helps us grow our minds, broaden our perspectives, and find moments of escape, no matter our circumstances."
Ryan
“I completely support the idea that everyone has the right to read, no matter their circumstances. I encourage people to come and check us out!”
Tereza
"Reading opens up the world, anywhere you are. By providing books we are making a difference for readers across the state."
Our Story and History
November 2015
Spotlighted in our first news article, courtesy of the Jackson Free Press.
December 2015
Hosted first public book packing party.
January 2016
Rented a small office at TurnUp Studios for book storage and volunteer hosting.
June 2016
Southern Cult design studio created our amazing “book power” logo and branding.
August 2016
Expanded to a new and larger rental space at 133 Millsaps
November 2016
The Mississippi Library Commission produced a mini documentary about our work.
September 2017
Expanded to a new rental space at 133 Millsaps with 5 times the space!
December 2018
Reached a lawsuit settlement with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, which formally recognized BHB as an authorized distributor of books to inmates.
February 2019
Featured on Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Mississippi Roads series.
April 2021
Featured on the Do Good Project Podcast.
April 2022
Moved into our very first fully air conditioned space at 133 Millsaps to accommodate summer volunteer sessions.
April 2024
Awarded the Innovation in Volunteerism Award at the 2024 GIVE Awards, presented by VolunteerMS and Mississippi’s First Lady, Elee Reeves.
December 2024
Expanded into additional air conditioned space at 133 Millsaps to accommodate our growing volunteer ranks.
December 2025
Sponsored a panel on Prison Book Clubs at the Mississippi Book Festival.
January 2026
Board member, Holly Smith, was featured on The Short Fuse Podcast with Elizabeth Howard
In the News
MEDIA SPOTLIGHTS
- Winner of the 2024 Volunteer Mississippi "Innovation in Volunteerism" Award
- Greater Jackson Arts Council
- MPB Mississippi Roads
- MPB Now You’re Talking with Marshall Ramsey
- SuperTalk's Good Things with Rebecca Turner
- WJTV Studio Interview
- WLBT Weekly Packing Party Story
- WJTV Christmas Spotlight
- WJTV Weekly Packing Party Spotlight
Big House Books volunteers accepting the 2024 Innovation in Volunteerism award from Mississippi’s First Lady, Elee Reeves, and VolunteerMS Executive Director, Suzanne Scales Rutherford





























