In 2016/17 Books Unlocked reached 43 settings, approximately 660 participants and distributed 1,250 books to reading groups in prisons, young offender institutions (YOIs), schools and libraries as well as to National Prison Radio (NPR) listeners. Our evaluation relied on a mixed methodology to capture the outcomes of the programme on participants. We found that:
- Over half the participants read a Man Booker
Prize shortlisted novel for the first time
- Almost one in two participants say they read
more than they used to before the project
- Over two in five participants say they now enjoy
reading more and that they are now more confident about their reading
The report provides an in-depth analysis of qualitative responses, presenting both the outcomes of the programme and the feedback form participants.