More than 1,300 Salt Lake County Metro Jail and Oxbow Jail inmates received a literary gift on Christmas Day.
"The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories," by O. Henry, was to be distributed by Salt Lake County Library System employees Wanda Robinson and Rosemary Hanna, along with Criminal Justice Services employees Linda Timmins and Candace Nenow and Alan Rice of Valley Mental Health.The books were purchased at a cost of more than $900 from Dover Publications Inc., Mineola, N.Y., through the Booked project. Started by 3rd District Judge Leslie Lewis, the project has received donations from numerous people and community groups interested in promoting better literacy among jail inmates.
Robinson, the jail librarian, arranged for distribution of the books this year and for the distribution of more than 900 copies of "A Christmas Carol" last year.
"Many inmates have expressed appreciation personally and through the mail for the gesture of caring and for receiving a book," Robinson said.
Capt. Paul Cunningham, commander of the Metro Jail, says receiving a copy was a positive experience for many inmates last year. The books become the personal property of inmates.
"The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories" was chosen because it is a favorite story of county library director Eileen Longsworth and Lewis, both supporters of the jail reading program.
"We were happy to follow their suggestion because short stories are easier to read. They have tremendous short messages and will be easy to use in the following weeks of the jail education programs," Robinson said.