After Brief Jail Stay, Cedar Park Woman Launches Book Drive Benefiting Inmates

CEDAR PARK, TX — A look inside of a jail during a five-day lockup gave a Cedar Park woman an indelible glimpse into the harsh realities of incarceration. In particular she noticed the shortage of books available as diversion to keep the mind of an inmate active and engaged.

"The tiny compartment where they kept books was empty," Kristi Kleinman told Fox 7. "There were literally two and a half books....half a novel.”

The choice of volumes is sparse inside the Williamson County Jail, and there's no one pushing a cart while making the rounds distributing reading material to inmates as one sees in the movies, she told the news station. People behind bars — those with terms exponentially longer than hers — tend to hold on to the novels they're able to secure for fear they might not get another chance at securing a book, she added.

So after being released, Kleinman spoke to her probation officer about her idea that sprang from her brief time in jail. And now, she's started collecting tomes for the benefit of inmates. She hopes to have 650 volumes by Jan. 15.

"The sooner I can get the books into everyone's hands the better," Kleinman told the station.

Thanks to the book drive, volumes have been pouring in, a jail officer told Fox 7. But Kleinman still hopes to reach her goal of 650 books. Those interested in helping reach that goal with donations can email her at kleinman70@att.net.

>>> Read the full story at Fox 7

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