Reading For Redemption: Brazil’s Model Of Prison Reform

Setting new standards, Brazil’s prison system offers a compelling counter-narrative. A remarkable initiative behind bars has captured the attention of many. Inmates are given the opportunity in this South American country to reduce their prison term by reading.

This progressive initiative began in 2012 under the aegis of Brazil’s Ministry of Justice. And all the inmates, both in federal as well as state, can enroll in the program. They can accumulate up to 48 days off their sentence per year. Four days are given for each book. And one can read up to maximum of 12 books a year.

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Though the system seems too easy in design, the regulation method followed makes sure that the program becomes beneficial by helping to impart literacy. The inmates could choose any genres: literature, science, philosophy, or classics, but cannot choose any category which has violent content in it.

Moreover, the reading has to be completed within 28 to 30 days depending upon the volume of the book. After the completion, a 10-day period is given to write a reflective critical analysis. And this couldn’t be a mere report; it is analysed by a group of experts including teachers, librarians, and members of civil society. And plagiarism is closely monitored.

Assistance is also provided to students with intellectual disabilities or low literacy levels, including the provision of audiobooks, Braille books, and peer-to-peer support in reading.

The reading program later became a beacon of hope. When the program was tested under State Law 17.329, it showed that pairing the students in the program with other types of prison schooling lowered recidivism to a mere 6%.

Brazil’s prisons are one of the world’s most congested, and it is estimated that more than 700,000 individuals are behind bars.

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The reach of the program is far beyond the walls of the prison; many countries have begun taking similar initiatives. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Finland have started their own libraries in prisons. This initiative, however, serves as an eye-opener for many, sparking important discussions on the role of rehabilitation in the 21st century.