Books Unlocked, supported by the Booker Prize Foundation, is one of the National Literacy Trust’s longest running criminal justice projects.
In 2024, the project celebrated its 11th year of providing free copies of Booker Prize longlisted and shortlisted titles to prisons across the country for participants to read, discuss and own.
What is Books Unlocked?
In essence, Books Unlocked is a project which gifts free titles, but it also does so much more than that. Twice a year the team at the National Literacy Trust put together a list of fascinating titles to offer prisons across the country. We create accompanying discussion guides with information about the authors, to allow reading groups to have enriching conversations about the title. We also partner with National Prison Radio, a station which people in prison call a lifeline, for an 11pm audiobook reading on air. And then, the most exciting part - we arrange author visits to the prisons, and author interviews on NPR. Occasionally we even get global megastars (like Dua Lipa) to visit a local women’s prison. Finally, we respond to all feedback from participants with the gift of another free book, encouraging a book exchange and a culture of reading for pleasure in prisons.
How does Books Unlocked provide crucial support to people in custody?
- Literacy levels among the prison population are lower than among the general population, so we believe the project helps us to actively encourage people to be able to engage in high quality texts.
- We know the literacy helps improve individuals’ wellbeing and confidence.
- Giving the participants a book of their own, that they can keep – is something which is uniquely powerful and which is not always on offer to people in prison.
Every now and then, we receive feedback which further highlights how important projects like Books Unlocked are. This is what happened with Katie, a recently released woman who had a short stay at HMP New Hall and former Books Unlocked participant.
Katie has kindly answered a few of our questions and given us an insight into her experiences with Books Unlocked and how reading for pleasure is now a key part of her life, and plans for the future.
We'll hand over to Katie to share her experiences herself...
Q&A with Books Unlocked participant, Katie
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author. They are not necessarily endorsed by, or the opinions of, the National Literacy Trust.
How did you first get involved with Books Unlocked?
I have always been an avid reader, but unfortunately studying for my degree completely got in the way and I had no time for my passion of reading.
However, if prison gives you one thing, it’s time.
I’d seen the posters for Books Unlocked in the library but I didn’t believe you could get free books. It was our prison librarian who told me I could get one of her favourite books from Books Unlocked so I wrote and continued to write.
I received four books from the Books Unlocked project and started my own little library! Owning something changed a lot for me in custody, it gives you a sense of pride.
What did you like about being a participant of Books Unlocked?
I adored getting a book that was mine. I got to keep it, own it and cherish it. It was exciting to request a random book and see what you got. Knowing each book has been put forward for the Booker Prizes means you know you’re onto a winner. I told so many people about Books Unlocked, I felt like part of a community which is lost in prison in so many ways.
We've found from participants that Books Unlocked helped them to discover new books, authors and genres that they wouldn't normally have picked up. Is this true for you?
Yes! It was so nice to branch out from my usual genres and to embrace new cultures. This really helped give me a sense of escapism which I love to get when I read. Some of the authors I read through Books Unlocked have become firm favourites on my bookshelf. There’s one book which I received; I must have now read it three times!
What were the books that inspired you to read more?
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara was the book that I fell in love with. Before this book, I’d been a reader, but I’d never been all-encompassed by a book. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with characters, their stories and their lives.
Did being part of Books Unlocked help you engage with others?
Yes! I was able to start conversations about books, find common interests and be part of something bigger than prison life. We had a shared passion.
How did reading affect your wellbeing?
I was going through a diagnosis for bipolar when I started receiving Books Unlocked books. Having something to look forward to, such as receiving a parcel was life changing, and for it to be a book... was great! I knew I was expecting escapism, a new world and a new outlook. Reading for me is a mindful task, so I could get some me-time within the bleak prison walls.
Did reading help when it came to thinking about life after prison?
Most definitely. I dreamed of going to the library and being sat in peace. A peace never experienced in prison. I put together lists of books I wanted to read, authors to discover and books I needed to reread with my new found vision of reading.
Katie’s final words about the project…
I just want to say a massive thank you for being part of my story. I now own over 20 books, own a kindle, am part of a book club and regularly find peace within the library. I found a new love with you, and I will be forever grateful. So will my Goodreads challenge! I adore reading now, the cathartic feeling I get just cannot be matched unless I am up a mountain somewhere. You gave me hope when I had very little and I will be forever grateful.
Katie has since secured a role as a Library Assistant in a local library and has applied for her second Masters (MA) in Library and Information Services Management through her local University – where there is a module on working within a prison setting.
Find out more about Books Unlocked
If you would like to learn more about Books Unlocked please visit the webpage here: Books Unlocked | National Literacy Trust, or if you would like any more information about the Criminal Justice team and our projects, please email us: criminaljustice@literacytrust.org.uk.