Why not send out paperbacks? You could reach a lot more people.

While this is true, it is not the vision Heart of America Prison Ministries (HEART) was given at it's conception. We are called to provide leather-bound study Bibles to prisoners serving long sentences (ten years on average). Another problem with paperbacks is their durability. We recently received a letter from a gentleman who has already worn out two paperback Bibles. Prisoners serving lengthy sentences need the Bible as a reference book and one which will last. How long would a paperback Bible last you?

Why use Leather-bound? Hardbound would be a lot cheaper.

Again, this is true, but there are some reasons for this choice. The primary and overriding consideration is that most penal facilities (including the Federal system) do not allow hardbound books because they can be used to conceal contraband. The quality of a leather-bound book speaks volumes of our Christian love for the prisoner. For many, it may be the first book they have ever owned and in most cases, the finest quality they have ever had. It is a treasured and valued possession which will last a lifetime. The leather absorbs their skin oil, sweat, and tears, literally becoming a part of them. Leather is the only binding durable enough to do this.

Why do you send study Bibles instead of regular ones?

In our freedom, we take many things for granted. Unfortunately, most prisoners do not have access to the variety of information sources we do. We believe it is absolutely essential to provide them with a volume which will help them to understand and grow in God’s Word. At a minimum, we provide Bibles with maps, concordance, a glossary or dictionary, cross references, and guided study helps.

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The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He  has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners."
 Isaiah 61:1