The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning has published the first UNESCO publication on prison libraries, highlighting their contribution to the personal development and education of incarcerated adults and young people:

"This publication explores the extent to which prison authorities fulfil their societal mandate to rehabilitate and reintegrate inmates by enabling them to use prison libraries to pursue their right to education."

"Reading and using a prison library can open up a world beyond prison bars, allowing prisoners to forget for a time the harsh reality of prison life and empower them to choose their own reading materials in an otherwise extremely restrictive and regulated environment. Providing access to relevant books and information in various languages, including easy reading materials, is crucial for prisoners’ personal development."

"This publication takes a closer look at selected examples of prison library systems around the world, outlining best practice and possible challenges, thus demonstrating their transformative potential as informational, educational, cultural and recreational meeting and learning spaces."

The open access e-book was launched at the most recent conference in August of the International Federation of Library Associations that took place in Athens, Greece.

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is located in Hamburg, Germany. It promotes and supports lifelong learning with a focus on adult learning, continuing education, literacy and non-formal basic education.

It is a body of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.