We will update this page with news and publications that impact on prison library services in the UK and Ireland.
HMPPS Insights event recording: Reading in the criminal justice system
In June 2026, HMPPS Insights organised an online event as part of the National Year of Reading which focused on reading in the criminal justice system. This event looked at evidence of the benefits of reading for people in the criminal justice system and then had a number of speakers discussing their work to promote reading among both people in custody and in the community. You can read more about the event here – this page includes a recording of the event and slides from each of the presenters.
Good news for prison library services in Scotland!
Congratulations to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Library Service for being named the winner of the Library of the Year Award at the 2026 British Book Awards, for its initiative delivered by City of Edinburgh Council Mobile Library Services, Oxgangs Library and Saughton Library (HMP Edinburgh). Dr Emily Pickard and Dr James Ripley, who both helped to facilitate this initiative, wrote a blog for us this year about their Secret Santa initiative and how it helped to combat loneliness in prison and promote empathy. You can read that blog post here.
Congratulations also to HMP Barlinnie library in Glasgow who was also a finalist in this category, and who work with Glasgow Life Libraries to deliver cultural and literary activities in the prison
It’s great to see the work of prison and public libraries be recognised in this way!
‘The power of reading in prisons’ – new podcast episode
A new podcast – The Prison Inspectors – has just been launched. The first episode focuses on ‘the power of reading in prisons’ and draws on findings from the recent Reading for Rehabilitation thematic review. The conversation is led by Charlie Taylor (Chief Inspector of Prisons) and Louise Johns-Shepherd (education expert and associate inspector). They talk about the importance of having reading skills while in prison, not just for functional reasons but also the wider benefits of reading for pleasure. This includes examples of how libraries have helped to promote reading within prisons.
You can listen on Spotify or wherever you usually listen to podcasts (links are available at the bottom of this page).
Arts council england report: Raising the profile of prison libraries
A new report has been published by Arts Council England called Raising the Profile of Prison Libraries. It details findings of a recent project which was “developed in response to need for greater awareness of the benefits of prison libraries in supporting wider objectives within the criminal justice system“. The project consisted of:
- An in-cell radio campaign for prisoners with the call to action to ‘visit your library’
- Development of prison staff training on the benefits of library usage to improve access to the library service
- A feasibility study for a through the gate volunteering-into-work in Newham and Croydon
- A Stakeholder Board responsible for steering the dissemination and implementation of the project’s findings
The findings showcase many of the benefits of engaging with library services while in prison. Findings also reveal the lack of awareness among prison officers in particular around what the library offers and considers what needs to be done to raise this awareness and understanding. The full report is available at this link.
“Reading for rehabilitation” New thematic report (jan 2026)
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons published a new thematic report on the 13 January, Reading for rehabilitation. This report follows the reviews of reading education in prison in 2022 and 2023. It shows some positive changes where staff have worked to create a culture of reading in prisons. Section 5 focuses on ‘the role of the prison library’ and includes examples of library services across prisons, including the story of one library user who discovered a ‘renewed sense of confidence and self-worth’ through participating in a reading group (page.24).
The report recognises that “The library is a vital resource and can have a marked impact across all elements of day-to-day life in prison” (page.23).
You can read the press release and download the full report.
national report on prison library services
The report below details findings of a national survey of prison library staff in England and Wales, giving insights into contemporary prison library provision and recommendations for improving library access. The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Sheffield in collaboration with the CILIP Prison Libraries Group.
Select committee
Watch Victoria Barnett, Chair of CILIP’s Prison Libraries Group, give evidence to the Justice Select Committee on 11 March 2025. She highlights the importance of qualified library professionals and calls for prison libraries to be properly funded.