Nearly half a million books to reach prisons in four nations this autumn
Lee Child has backed a scheme to distribute nearly half a million books across prisons in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland this autumn. The campaign aims to improve literacy and support rehabilitation, which Child argues could help reduce reoffending by making it easier for people leaving prison to manage daily life and find work.
The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads programme will provide 11 short books, chosen with input from prisoners and staff, for every cell and prison libraries. The selection includes fiction, memoir, wellbeing and creative writing, with authors such as Child, Leye Adenle, Lemn Sissay and AA Dhand. Ministry of Justice figures show 65% of initial literacy assessments in public prisons in England in 2024-25 were at entry levels 1-3, below the standard expected of a typical GCSE student. The project will also include author workshops and other reading and writing resources.
- Nearly half a million books will reach prisons this autumn.
- The scheme aims to build literacy and support rehabilitation.
- Ministry of Justice figures show widespread low literacy at prison entry.
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Prisons in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland hold people serving sentences or awaiting trial. Reading ability can affect how easily someone manages everyday tasks, takes part in education and training, and finds work after leaving prison.
The Reading Agency is a charity that promotes reading, and its Quick Reads programme publishes short books for adults. The campaign has backing from crime writer Lee Child and includes books selected with input from prisoners and prison staff, alongside workshops and writing resources.
Literacy levels vary, and prison assessments in England have found many people begin with reading skills below the level expected of a typical GCSE student. Supporters say access to books and reading activities can help build skills that may assist people as they prepare to return to life outside prison.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Providing accessible books and writing activities could help prisoners build literacy, confidence and practical skills that support education, work and daily life after release. Involving prisoners and staff in choosing the books may make the selection more engaging, while author workshops could encourage reading and creative expression.
The case against
The scheme’s value depends on whether books are read and whether access is sustained; placing titles in cells and libraries alone may do little for people who need individual teaching or other support. With public resources limited, a thoughtful sceptic could ask whether the large distribution will produce measurable gains in literacy or rehabilitation, and how its impact will be assessed against other interventions.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Lee Child backs launch of reading scheme to send prisons half a million books”.