Friday, June 2 - End the Cook County Jail Book Ban
Action You Can Take Today
Call on Sherrif Dart to end the Cook County Jail book ban: 773-674-1945
End the Cook County Jail Book Ban
Once again, the quality of life for people incarcerated in Cook County Jail is getting worse. On April 7, 2023, Sheriff Dart enacted a policy that limits incarcerated people to three books per person (including magazines but excluding religious texts).
Since the implementation of this policy, jail guards have denied incarcerated people the autonomy to decide which books they keep. During the sweeps to ensure compliance with the policy, guards seized materials used to support legal aid, educational development, and mental wellness.
Our community members incarcerated in the jail need us to lend our voices to them now! Call the sheriff’s office at 773-674-1945 and demand they allow incarcerated people access to books and paper.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ___, and I live in ____. I’m calling to demand that Sheriff Tom Dart reverse the decision to limit people in jail to three books. Books and other paper materials are essential, not only for incarcerated individuals to be fully engaged in their legal defense, but also to improve their quality of life. Access to tablets should be offered in addition to physical books and mail, not used to replace them.”
You can also help by sharing the following:
Action via Coalition to End Money Bond
While some of these Daily Actions come from our own work as Indivisible Chicago Alliance, others are from our many partners working to advance the progressive agenda. We invite you to join us in supporting their work. Postings from partners do not imply Indivisible Chicago Alliance endorsement of specific policies and positions.