Prison Reading Groups

Prison Reading Groups (PRG) promotes reading for pleasure in prisons and provides support and funding for those who run them.

Prison Reading Groups was set up in 1999 to help start, fund and support reading groups in prisons. Since 2017 it has been part of Give a Book.  Members choose the books they read and discussion is lively and full of debate. Everyone receives a new copy of the chosen book to keep or pass on to others. The groups are voluntary and there are no tests, no certificates and no right or wrong answers.

Our groups increase confidence, encourage more ambitious book choices and the ability to think clearly and sharply. And this leads to greater engagement with ideas and the world outside. PRG groups help members develop a more positive sense of self and the possibility of moving towards change.

In 2024, PRG ran over 110 groups in more than 80 prisons nationwide.

“These are the kind of books I want to read. That makes you think. Everything’s better now I’m a reader. Even my dreams are better. I never used to remember my dreams but since I’ve been reading I remember them all.”

“NV said at the end that the reading group had saved him in prison – in fact he said there were two things: having a shower and the monthly reading group.” 

View PRG’s short film to show the power of books both inside and outside prison here.