Man runs a book club at Utah State Prison

SALT LAKE CITY — For the past five years, Elliot Morris has been volunteering his time at the Utah State Prison to do something most people wouldn't expect: He is running a book club.

Several times a month, Morris and a growing number of inmates discuss literature in the club that is part of the Utah Prison Education Program, run through the University of Utah. The program is part of the university's effort to advance education for people behind bars.

Morris said inmates who participate in the program — and earn high school or college diplomas or even trade school certificates — are less likely to return to prison.

And while the book club is not a credit-earning class, it is gaining popularity. One inmate, who goes by the name of "Craig," has been part of the club since it began and says it has been his "most positive prison experience, by far."

"I was struggling through the beginning of a life sentence, without hope for parole, and I saw a flier for a book club," he said. "Desperate for any mental stimulation, I signed up. … The first semester, three of us worked through eight or nine books together — it became the highlight of each week.

"Each week's discussion introduced me to a deeper understanding of the material. When the second semester happened, I was committed. I had never read 300 to 400 pages a week but was able to keep up. Fast forward to the present semester, which is my 15th, and I reckon I have been transported by 130-plus adventures," Craig said. "I have time traveled multiple times, been around the world, hung out with American Gods, hunted vampires with Abraham Lincoln, experienced small-town hockey, survived the apocalypse, visited the moon in different books and grown as a human in many ways.

"These many semesters of book club have been a lifeline to sanity."

Morris said they currently have 14 inmates participating in the book club, adding that each gets a chance to choose the topic of focus. This semester, they have chosen Utah authors as their focus — a genre they are calling "Deseret Dreamers," where they "explore the diverse and captivating works of the vibrant culture of the Beehive State," he said.

Not only are they committed to featuring Utah authors, but five of the authors they have chosen books from have committed to visiting the prison to discuss their books. Morris blogs about the books and book club to help connect the incarcerated students with family members and friends who may also be reading along.

"Phillip" is another inmate at the prison, who just joined the book club this semester to remain in the Utah Prison Education Program. He said the club has been more than just a place to read books.

"This actually has come at a perfect time for me," he said. "I could use a reset and distraction from the politics of prison. I am fortunate to have joined the club at a time when we are presented with the privilege to actually meet a few of the authors of the books we are reading. What an amazing opportunity and honor. What a special moment to discuss a work with the person who produced it.

"Discussing various perspectives on these books with others has been an unexpected opportunity to build community in prison through an artistic medium," Phillip continued. "We need more opportunities like this to share our thoughts with one another and consider and challenge our perspectives through dialogue like this."

All of the books are furnished through donations, and when the club completes a book, the books are put in the prison library for others to check out. Morris said he is grateful for all the generous donors, including authors, who have made the program possible.

"We're always looking for people to volunteer time and money," he said. "If there's ever anyone interested, they can certainly check out the website and see how they can help."

For more information on the book club and other Utah Prison Education Program programs, go to prisoneducationproject.utah.edu.

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