Don’t limit inmates’ reading choices

An Oct. 7 article told how the ACLU was suing the Berkeley County jail over its policy barring inmates from having any reading material other than the Bible. While I agree that sometimes the ACLU will file frivolous lawsuits, I’d like to be on the jury that hears this one.

Just because one is incarcerated does not give anyone the right to deny access to certain reading materials other than the Bible. The Bible is one of the best books that anyone could ever read. If we followed the Ten Commandments there would be no need for jails.

But the people — that’s you and me — should have a right to access many reading materials, including magazines and newspapers, so we can have an open dialogue with other people. As a former inmate in our prison system, reading was the only thing that helped me retain my sanity.

Above all, reading in our prison system should be encouraged. Some of the inmates could not read and would ask me to read to them. Sometimes it was the Bible, other times it was letters from home.

This is an injustice to the inmates at this jail. We should allow them the right and freedom to read appropriate materials that may help them deal with their incarceration and broaden their horizons.

After reading this you may disagree with me. That’s OK. At least you had the right and freedom to read it.