Reading and library - elements to prisoners’ personal development

One of the traditional ways of acquiring information is through reading. Information is the key in the current world as it not only brings knowledge but also demonstrates the world we are living in and how it is operating at the moment. Therefore, the right and the ability to have access to knowledge through reading is essential for all of us. For prisoners, reading and the motivation to read are even more important. Reading is crucial for prisoners to stay informed about events in the outside world, enhance their intellectual growth, and prepare for reintegration into society after release. Their ability to keep up with cultural trends, build connections, and access resources like magazines, books, and newspapers play a significant role in their personal growth and social behavior. As a result, reading is regarded as a positive activity for prisoners (Köçeri, Kılıç & Aslan, Peri, 2024).

In the process of reading, the individual is not passive but actively engages in mental activities like cultural creativity and aesthetic experiences (Deng & Sun, 2019, pp. 1-7). Therefore, reading should be considered a key skill for personal growth, particularly for prisoners. Improving reading skills is essential for individual development. Studies have shown that reading is strongly linked to factors such as imagination, memory, intelligence, and emotion, all of which contribute to personal development (Deng & Sun, 2019, pp. 54-67).

Chen et al. (2018) noted that reading activities not only enhance reading motivation but also help lower stress levels in prisoners, offering them psychological relief (Chen, Xu & Hu, 2018, pp. 899-904).

Therefore, the role of a prison library is no less important than the motivation of prisoners to read. Prison libraries play a crucial role as key sources of reading materials and literacy resources for incarcerated individuals, offering them educational opportunities and potentially saving the state money. The absence of educational resources in prisons can cause inmates to feel isolated and helpless, as they struggle with challenges like reading menus, understanding letters from family, securing prison jobs, and gaining necessary job skills. As a result, they may fail to achieve the rehabilitation goals intended for their reintegration (Prison Education: A Review of Reading Education in Prisons, n.d.).

Prison libraries are crucial for creating a comfortable and peaceful environment for inmates, helping protect their mental health. Upon entering the prison system, individuals often face various challenges that can negatively impact their psychological well-being. These challenges, such as overcrowded conditions, lack of privacy, and heightened vulnerability to victimization, can lead to mental health issues like depression and difficulty adjusting to prison life (Reingle Gonzalez & Connell, 2014). Poor mental health not only hinders rehabilitation but also makes reintegration into society more challenging after release. Additionally, ex-prisoners may face the added burden of mental health treatment costs, making it harder to secure employment. As prisoners are more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population (Bate et al., 2023), the importance of supporting their mental well-being is evident. Prison libraries offer an escape from these stressors, providing inmates with space for comfort, leisure, and mental health care. As Larry E. Sullivan noted, offenders often view reading in prison libraries as a means of spiritual salvation (Sullivan, 2008).

Prison libraries play a vital role in connecting incarcerated individuals with their families through various literacy activities. The incarceration of a parent can have profound negative effects, particularly on children (Arditti et al., 2003; Quaker United Nations Office [QUNO], n.d.). According to Lynch et al. (2021), family literacy programs, which provide education for both adults and children, encourage family reading, and support parents in facilitating their children’s education, can be very beneficial. When literacy activities are organized within the prison library, incarcerated individuals have the opportunity to read aloud and engage in shared learning with their children.

This has multiple advantages: it supports children’s learning, fosters a lifelong interest in reading, and provides emotional support, reducing the fear associated with prison visits. Additionally, it bridges the emotional gap between parents and children, contributing to the child’s well-being. These literacy activities also motivate incarcerated parents to focus on rehabilitation and improve their self-esteem, which in turn makes them less likely to re-offend. Ultimately, family literacy programs in prison libraries positively impact both the incarcerated individuals and their families, helping build more cohesive and resilient family units (Bell & Cornwell, 2015; Breaches in the Wall, n.d.; Kazura, 2001).

In conclusion, reading and prison libraries are integral in contributing to the development of prisoners, not only inside but also outside the jail. It is a way for them to escape from the hard times inside prison bars and have their own time to cultivate skills and also enhance relationships with other inmates and their families, resulting in better rehabilitation and better family relationships.