Books Behind Bars: Inmates Read for Freedom and Growth

Quick Smiles:

• Inmates in Brazil can reduce their sentences by reading books and submitting reports.
• Similar reading programs are being adopted in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
• Brazilian prisoners are reading nine times more than the national average.

For over a decade, Brazil has been offering its prisoners a remarkable opportunity: read a book and earn a shorter prison sentence. This initiative, known as “Remission for Reading,” is now inspiring other countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to follow suit.

In Brazil, where the recidivism rate exceeds 80% and the imprisonment rate is one of the highest globally, this program provides inmates access to a variety of books, including those in Braille and audiobooks. Once a book is borrowed, inmates have 21 to 30 days to read it, followed by 10 days to write a book report. Each report can reduce their sentence by four days.

Ajda Ultchak, a program teacher, shared with an organization focused on global education, “We hope to create a new perspective on life for them. This is about acquiring knowledge and culture and being able to join another universe.”

A Brazilian publisher plays a significant role by supplying books to prison libraries. Interestingly, inmates in Brazil read nine times more than the average citizen, who reads only five books a year. A statement from the publisher emphasized, “By giving voice to them and using the texts they produced, we show society that they are thinking, critical beings with their own opinions, which must be respected.”

Kazakhstan introduced “Reading Without Borders” in 2021, selecting classic Russian and Kazakh literature for inmates. The program has been well-received, promoting intellectual growth among prisoners.

Uzbekistan’s approach involves the “Center for Spirituality and Enlightenment,” ensuring that the reading material aligns with the goals of intellectual and moral development. Russian officials are also advocating for similar programs, focusing on classics like “Crime and Punishment.”

While concerns about potential indoctrination exist, the power of literature to enhance intellectual and moral capacities cannot be understated. As Charles W. Eliot wisely noted, “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”

These programs highlight the transformative power of reading, offering inmates a chance to explore new worlds and ideas, ultimately aiding in their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

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