+44 (0) 1273 386849Investing in Prison Libraries: Unlocking Second Chances and Safer Communities
Libraries are everywhere. They take many forms – bustling public libraries at the heart of communities, vibrant school libraries nurturing young readers, specialised collections serving businesses, and countless others. Wherever they appear, libraries are places of connection, learning, and possibility.
But for people in prison, a library is something altogether more profound: a lifeline. A new report from the American Library Association (ALA), Investing in Prison Libraries (June 2025), makes a compelling case that these modest, often overlooked spaces are among the most cost-effective ways to reduce reoffending, improve wellbeing, and build safer, more resilient communities.
Read on to discover why prison libraries matter – and how investing in them can change lives.
Report Overview: Investing in Prison Libraries
At the heart of this Report is a profound belief in the transformative power of knowledge and human dignity. It argues that prison libraries offer a genuine chance at rehabilitation and a better future for incarcerated individuals. Below is a summary of the key findings and recommendations.
- The core purpose and benefits of prison libraries
- Rehabilitation and reintegration: Prison libraries are vital to successful rehabilitation. Research shows that every dollar spent on prison education, including library services, can save up to five dollars in future incarceration costs.
- Mental wellbeing and human dignity: Mental health is an ongoing issue in prisons. Libraries promote mental health improvement, and reduce stress by offering opportunities for escape, self-reflection, and personal growth.
- Literacy and educational attainment: Improving literacy is closely linked to lower reoffending rates. Libraries support both informal reading and formal education programmes.
- Skills and employment: Libraries equip individuals with job skills, digital literacy, and practical information for employment and self-employment.
- Family connections: Initiatives like Read to the Children help incarcerated parents maintain meaningful relationships with their families.
- Preparing for life after prison: Libraries offer essential information on housing, healthcare, and community resources to help individuals reintegrate successfully.
- Current challenges facing US prison libraries
Despite their clear value to individuals and society, prison libraries in the US remain severely underfunded and inconsistently resourced.
- Limited technology access: Many facilities lack internet connectivity and up-to-date digital tools.
- Rising censorship: Thousands of books are restricted under broad security policies, limiting access to diverse materials. Women’s health issues have been particularly affected by this growing censorship.
- Inconsistent standards: The quality and scope of library services vary widely between facilities.
- Recommendations for improvement
The report outlines several priority actions:
- Adopt the Standards for Library Services for the Incarcerated and Detained as a baseline for quality and best practice.
- Support federal investments, such as the proposed Prison Libraries Act of 2023, which would establish a competitive grant programme for library services.
- Increase philanthropic funding and raise public awareness about the vital role of prison libraries.
- Expand research to quantify their impact and inform continuous improvement.
Investing in professionally managed, well-resourced prison libraries is presented as a smart, humane, and economically sound strategy to address mass incarceration and improve public safety.
“Investing in prison libraries is a critical step towards providing incarcerated individuals with tools – rather than barriers – to return to their communities better equipped for life after incarceration… With adequate funding, standardisation, and support, prison libraries can shape outcomes for millions of Americans.” (Investing in Prison Libraries, p.1 and 2)
They Are More Than Just Books
Prison libraries are multi-faceted, dynamic resources at the heart of the communities they serve.
Safe and welcoming spaces: They are described as places where people can relax in a safe and welcoming environment – a public library like no other, offering a brief respite from the harsh reality of prison life.
Centres for education and lifelong learning: Libraries support formal education programmes, enabling inmates to gain qualifications and develop skills. Research consistently shows that those who participate in education are significantly less likely to return to prison.
Sources of critical information and skills development
- Legal information:
Access to materials about individual rights, legal processes, and family law, often with guidance from trained library staff.
- Job skills and employment resources: Support with developing digital skills, preparing CVs, and researching future employment or self-employment opportunities.
- Digital and information literacy: Even with limited technology access, libraries help prisoners build essential skills for life in a digital society.
Support for mental health and personal growth: Books and library programmes offer entertainment, distraction, and self-help resources. Creative writing workshops and reading groups contribute to improved mental wellbeing and self-esteem.
Maintaining family ties: Programmes like Read to the Children enable parents to record themselves reading stories to their children, strengthening bonds and fostering family literacy.
Connections beyond prison walls: Many prison libraries partner with public library systems through interlibrary loans, reference by mail, and shared activities, bridging the gap between incarceration and community life.
The UK Prison Library Perspective
While this report focuses on the US, the UK faces similar challenges and opportunities.
Prison library provision in England and Wales is governed by the Prison education and library services for adult prisons, overseen by the Ministry of Justice. Every prison is required to provide library services as part of its education offer, with many libraries run in partnership with local authorities or contracted providers.
Programmes such as Reading Ahead, developed by The Reading Agency, help improve literacy and engagement. In Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service has standards that embed libraries within learning and skills provision.
However, funding pressures, staffing shortages, and outdated collections continue to limit impact. Reports from the Prison Reform Trust and HM Inspectorate of Prisons have highlighted inconsistent access and resourcing. While policy frameworks recognise the value of prison libraries, translating this into consistently high-quality services remains an ongoing challenge.
“Less than two thirds (62%) reported being able to visit the library at least once a week. The situation is slightly better for women – 68% reported weekly library access.”
Prison Reform Trust response to the Justice Committee’s inquiry on Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffending, January 2025, p.11
An Effective Library Management System for Prison Libraries
The Simple Little Library System is thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of prison libraries. It is clear, easy-to-use interface means staff and volunteers can get started quickly, making it simpler to organise books, track loans, and ensure everyone has fair access to resources – even in the most secure settings.
Beyond daily tasks, the system offers helpful reports that show how the library supports learning, wellbeing, and rehabilitation. It also makes it possible to share digital materials safely, giving people in prison more opportunities to read, learn, and prepare for life after prison.
A Humane and Effective Investment
Prison libraries – in any country – are one of the most humane and effective investments societies can make. Libraries exist to show people that their lives still have worth, that their families matter, that positive change is possible, and that there is a future for everyone beyond the prison gates.
At a time when so much public discourse about prisons focuses on punishment, this report is a timely reminder that education, information, and human connection are the real keys to safer communities. For anyone who cares about literacy, equality, and second chances, prison libraries deserve far more attention – and support- than they typically receive.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is a prison library?
A prison library is a library service provided within a prison. It offers books, legal information, educational materials, and sometimes digital resources to support learning, rehabilitation, and wellbeing for people in prison.
Why are prison libraries important?
Prison libraries help people develop literacy skills, build confidence, prepare for employment, and maintain family connections. Evidence shows they can significantly reduce reoffending rates and support safer communities.
How do prison libraries benefit society?
By providing education and information, prison libraries increase the chances that people will reintegrate successfully after release. This benefits families, communities, and wider society.
What challenges do prison libraries face?
Common challenges include limited funding, outdated collections, shortages of trained staff, lack of digital access, and restrictions on the types of materials allowed.
Are there standards for prison library services?
Yes. In the UK, prison libraries operate under the Library Services for Prisoners Framework Agreement, and are often delivered in partnership with public library services. In Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service sets its own standards. Every prison in the UK is required to provide library access, although the size and quality of provision varies between establishments.
How can library management systems help prison libraries?
Simple, secure library systems such as the Simple Little Library System make it easier to catalogue books, manage loans, and demonstrate the library’s impact, even when resources are tight.