Best Sports and Recreation Books for Prisoners: Football, Basketball & Fitness Reads Behind Bars

At NJ Corrections Bookstore, we believe that recreation builds more than muscle, it builds confidence, discipline, and focus. Whether it’s learning how top athletes think, getting fit with no equipment, or building emotional strength through sports psychology, these sports and fitness books for prisoners help transform idle time into powerful self-improvement.

The following list includes facility-approved paperbacks that are ideal for inmates interested in football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, and total wellness.

Why Sports & Recreation Books Matter in Prison

  • Encourage structure and routine, critical for emotional stability and reentry
  • Promote healthy outlets through fitness, strategy, and positive focus
  • Model discipline and perseverance through stories of athletic greatness
  • Help inmates improve mentally and physically despite limited resources

 

    Top Sports and Recreation Books for Inmates

    1. The Fearless Mind (2nd Edition): 5 Steps to Achieving Peak Performance

    Author: Craig Manning
    ISBN: 1462121497
    Dr. Manning delivers a powerful blend of sports psychology and real-world coaching in this updated edition. It teaches inmates how to focus under pressure, overcome fear, and unleash performance in all areas of life.

    •  Perfect for building mental toughness behind bars.

    2. Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable

    Author: Tim S. Grover
    ISBN: 1476714207
    Grover trained Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, and his no-holds-barred approach pushes readers beyond their limits. This motivational book is a favorite in prisons for its raw energy and deep insight into the “Cleaner” mindset.

    • Ideal for inmates ready to elevate their inner game.

    3. Beyond Basketball: Coach K's Keywords for Success

    Author: Mike Krzyzewski
    ISBN: 1538741601    
    Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski shares 40 leadership lessons from decades of coaching success. Each chapter focuses on a key word, like Respect, Courage, and Commitment, making it easy to digest and reflect on in a cell.

    • Great for teaching values, leadership, and character.

    4. Walter Camp: Football and the Modern Man

    Author: Julie Des Jardins
    ISBN: 9780199925629
    This fascinating biography covers the man who shaped modern American football. It’s also a look at masculinity, discipline, and social reform through the lens of sport.

    • A must-read for football fans interested in history, structure, and reform.

    5. Sho-Time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani and the Greatest Baseball Season Ever Played

    Author: Jeff Fletcher
    ISBN: 9781635769234
    This book chronicles the rise of two-way baseball legend Shohei Ohtani, a global phenom who shattered expectations. For inmates, Ohtani’s humility, grind, and greatness are a blueprint for overcoming doubt and staying focused.

    • Inspiring for readers who love baseball and comeback stories.

    6. Marist Football: Inside the War Eagle Tradition

    Author: Tommy Marshall
    ISBN: 9781953610703
    This inside look at the Marist War Eagles football program is about more than wins, it’s about legacy, discipline, and the brotherhood of sport. The book is perfect for inmates who want to reconnect with teamwork and values.

    • Highlights the power of loyalty, commitment, and grit.

    7. Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

    Author: Dr. Daniel G. Amen
    ISBN: 978-1101904640
    This isn’t your typical sports book, but it’s essential reading for anyone wanting to improve focus, emotional control, and decision-making. Dr. Amen uses neuroscience to show how mental training rewires destructive patterns.
    ✔ Ideal for inmates seeking mental clarity and emotional healing.

    8. Finding Your Fountain of Life

    Author: Mark D. Bristow
    ISBN: 9781039150522
    A deeply motivational guide that blends fitness, spiritual discipline, and aging gracefully. It's filled with faith-based inspiration for inmates who want to transform physically and spiritually, regardless of age or background.

    • Uplifting for those focused on faith, health, and holistic growth.

    9. 100 No-Equipment Workouts Vol. 1: Fitness Routines You Can Do Anywhere

    Author: Neila Rey
    ISBN: 978-1844819805
    One of the best-selling bodyweight training books in prisons, this guide offers 100 illustrated workouts requiring zero equipment. It’s perfect for inmates with limited space and no gym access.

    •  A go-to for cell workouts and structured daily fitness.

    10. Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America

    Author: Abraham Riesman
    ISBN:  978-1982169459
    This in-depth biography of Vince McMahon is part wrestling history, part business power-play, and part cultural expose. Inmates fascinated by leadership, empire-building, and media hustle will love the drama and insight.

    • Eye-opening for readers drawn to sports entertainment, power, and legacy.

    How to Order for an Inmate in New Jersey

    Ordering from NJ Corrections Bookstore is simple and correctional-compliant:

    1. Visit https://njcorrectionsbookstore.com
    2. Browse or search for titles by category (Sports & Recreation)
    3. Enter correct inmate name, ID number, and facility address at checkout
    4. Orders ship via USPS with DOC-compliant, secure packaging

    All books are paperback only and formatted for facility approval.

    Final Thoughts: Rebuilding Through Recreation

    Sports and recreation are more than pastimes, they're frameworks for discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and emotional resilience. The books above help incarcerated readers sharpen their mind, move their body, and reimagine their future, on or off the field.

    Send motivation. Send movement. Send meaning, through NJ Corrections Bookstore