For many incarcerated individuals, time behind bars can become an opportunity for growth, self-reflection, and preparation for a better future. One of the most powerful and accessible tools for that transformation is education, and it often begins with the right book.
At SureShot Books Publishing LLC, we specialize in providing correctional facility-approved educational books that help inmates build essential skills, expand their knowledge, and prepare for reentry. With over 30 years of experience and strong relationships with correctional institutions nationwide, we understand what books make a difference, and which ones get approved and delivered.
In this guide, we’ll share some of the best educational books for inmates, covering topics such as job readiness, personal development, financial literacy, communication, and general knowledge. These books don’t just fill time, they build futures.
Why Education Is Vital Behind Bars
Educational books help inmates do more than learn facts, they empower them to:
- Gain confidence through learning
- Develop new skills for life after release
- Stay mentally engaged and focused
- Reduce recidivism by preparing for employment and stable living
- Discover passions they never had a chance to explore before
According to the RAND Corporation, inmates who participate in educational programs are 43% less likely to return to prison. The right book can be the beginning of that transformation.
Best Educational Books for Inmates Available at SureShot Books
Here are some of the top educational titles currently available through our store, all suitable for correctional environments and aimed at learning, growth, and future success.
1. Today: Turning Your Passion Into Your Profession
What It Teaches:
This powerful guide helps readers identify their passions and turn them into professional paths. Whether it’s writing, business, or creative work, this book shows how to move from dream to reality.
Skills Learned:
- Goal setting
- Career planning
- Entrepreneurship
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
It provides structure, purpose, and a future vision, key components of successful reentry.
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
What It Teaches:
One of the most respected self-development books of all time, it introduces habits like being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and prioritizing what matters most.
Skills Learned:
- Time management
- Decision-making
- Leadership and discipline
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
It helps rebuild character and mindset, fostering personal accountability and self-control.
3. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
What It Teaches:
Though often controversial, this book teaches strategies for understanding human behavior, influence, and survival in tough environments, skills that can be applied constructively after release.
Skills Learned:
- Strategic thinking
- Social awareness
- Emotional control
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
Understanding people and power dynamics can help inmates navigate reentry and relationships in a smarter, more confident way.
4. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
What It Teaches:
A step-by-step guide to managing money, eliminating debt, and building financial stability. Financial education is essential for those reentering the workforce or planning to start fresh.
Skills Learned:
- Budgeting
- Saving and investing
- Financial goal setting
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
Many inmates leave prison with little financial literacy. This book lays a solid foundation for long-term financial success.
5. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
What It Teaches:
This short, powerful classic teaches that thoughts shape character and destiny. It emphasizes mental discipline and the importance of personal responsibility.
Skills Learned:
- Positive mindset
- Mental clarity
- Self-discipline
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
Mental strength is the foundation for every other type of growth. This book fosters resilience and clarity.
6. 22 – A Guide for Young Athletes: Built by Athletes. For Athletes.
What It Teaches:
While geared toward athletes, the lessons in this book on mindset, routine, and discipline apply universally, especially for those in prison.
Skills Learned:
- Mental preparation
- Self-motivation
- Building routines
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
It helps develop consistency and structure, two things inmates can use to stay focused and motivated.
7. Beyond the Field
What It Teaches:
This book uses lessons from sports to teach leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, skills that translate well to job settings and social environments post-release.
Skills Learned:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Perseverance
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
It turns everyday decisions into life lessons that prepare inmates for personal and professional success.
8. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
What It Teaches:
This bestselling guide teaches the value of living in the present moment and letting go of past pain and future worry.
Skills Learned:
- Mindfulness
- Emotional regulation
- Self-awareness
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
In a high-stress environment like prison, emotional control and present thinking are vital tools for inner peace and clarity.
9. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
What It Teaches:
A timeless classic on personal finance, it uses parables to teach the basics of saving, investing, and building financial security.
Skills Learned:
- Budgeting
- Saving money
- Long-term planning
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
Offers simple yet powerful financial lessons in an engaging story format, perfect for reentry preparation.
10. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
What It Teaches:
A foundational book in success literature, it explains how to use focused thinking, belief, and persistence to reach your goals.
Skills Learned:
- Visualization
- Success planning
- Self-motivation
Why It’s Ideal for Inmates:
This book shifts mindset from survival to strategic success, which is key for inmates planning life after incarceration.
Why Order Educational Books from SureShot?
SureShot Books has been a trusted source of inmate-approved educational books for over three decades. We make it easy for families, friends, and correctional programs to send books that truly matter.
What Sets Us Apart:
- Approved by state and federal correctional facilities
- Carefully curated book list focused on reentry and personal development
- Fast, secure, and compliant shipping
- Personalized support from our experienced team
Final Thoughts: Build the Future One Page at a Time
Incarceration doesn’t have to mean the end of opportunity, it can be the beginning of self-education, skill building, and personal transformation. Whether your loved one is serving short-term time or preparing for release, these books offer the tools and encouragement they need to create a new chapter in life.
Browse our full selection at SureShotBooks.com and help someone you care about take the first step toward a better future, one book at a time.
Contact SureShot Books
Need help placing an order or choosing the right book?
Phone: 845.675.7505
Email: jessica@sureshotbooks.com
Website: www.sureshotbooks.com