Victoria Barnett.
to surveys that were carried out. Prison Radio has regular reading programmes but the week of reading and library-relat- ed content would definitely be something to aim to have every year for Libraries Week because it would help to generate interest and enthusiasm.
“Whilst many prisoners love coming to the library, there are also many who have never visited a library and assume that the library is not for the likes of them, so this sort of awareness campaign helps break down some of those misconceptions.” And once those misconceptions have been broken down, users find that the library is a space that caters to diverse needs. Not just through the services they provide, but also in the sense of offering a safe space.
“Libraries are a sanctuary from the grittier side of prison life, and that is important to prisoners. Feedback men- tions that they like the feeling of nor- mality and it being a place to escape to,” Victoria says. “The stock in the library needs to be engaging and appropriate to everyone’s needs, but the actual space is just as important. It should be welcom- ing and a comfortable space. Some of our audience will be seasoned library users, but a high proportion are visiting a library for the first time ever and need to feel that it is an unthreatening environment for them.” That recognition of the person, not just the prisoner can have a transformative
February-March 2026
effect as Victoria points out: “Librarians treat prisoners as customers, and library orderlies are trained to provide good customer service too, so they are seen in a positive light. It is rare for prisoners to create a nuisance in the library because they appreciate what they receive and the way that they are treated. The feedback from prisoners is overwhelmingly posi- tive, often saying that the library made life bearable for them at a bleak time, and has helped them to better themselves.” Feedback from an inmate – “It has changed my life and I will never be the same, I am a much better man and father!”
These type of reactions are not uncommon, but that does not mean the endorsements are easy to gain. Library staff understand the needs to their cus- tomers and have to deliver a service that is engaging to all and to create a space that is welcoming to all. Unsurprisingly literacy levels among some inmates can be low and many struggle with reading, so education sits alongside enrichment. “There is a high proportion of prisoners with low literacy levels, but also many prisoners who are competent and vora- cious readers – our challenge is to provide stock that interests and challenges all of our customers.
“For emergent readers we stock easy- read formats, audiobooks, graphic novels and enticing non-fiction books. Many
prison libraries also stock children’s books so that prisoners can read to their children over the phone. We have had prisoners teach themselves to read with these – they weren’t comfortable admit- ting they struggled with reading but were happy to borrow a children’s book while telling their peers that they were going to read to their child on the phone. “We also run a programme for prison- ers to read a book to their child which is recorded and has sound-effects added by the Storybook Dads/Mums charity. The desire to improve their reading skills often comes from wanting to be better parents and that is a powerful motivator. “We also have the Shannon Trust charity working in prisons, providing a peer-men- toring model for prisoners learning to read, and many prison libraries support this programme and encourage emergent readers to continue their reading journey in the library.”
Programmes likes these help to spread the impact beyond the prison into homes and beyond. “Family ties are extremely important for successful re-integration into society and are proven to reduce reoffending,” says Victoria, “so the library can play an important part in a prisoner’s desistance journey.”
Mental health and wellbeing is also notably improved through regular use of the library, bringing with it a knock-on effect that manifests as improved behav-
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