Call-In to Demand That Sheriff Dart End the Cook County Jail Book Ban

Once again, the quality of life for people incarcerated in Cook County Jail is getting worse. On April 7, 2023, Sheriff Dart enacted a policy that limits incarcerated people to three books per person (including magazines but excluding religious texts). 

Since the implementation of this policy, jail guards have denied incarcerated people the autonomy to decide which books they keep. During the sweeps to ensure compliance with the policy, guards seized materials used to support legal aid, educational development, and mental wellness. 

Our community members incarcerated in the jail need us to lend our voices to them now! 

Call the Sheriff’s Office and demand they allow incarcerated people access to books and paper!

Use the sample script and call  the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at 773-674-1945 to stand in solidarity with incarcerated community members. 

Sample Script 

“Hello, my name is ____, and I live in ____. I’m calling to demand that Sheriff Tom Dart reverse the decision to limit people in jail to three books. Books and other paper materials are essential, not only for incarcerated individuals to be fully engaged in their legal defense, but also to improve their quality of life. Access to tablets should be offered  in addition to physical books and mail, not used to replace them.”

Published by the Coalition to End Money Bond & the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice