Prison takes away the liberties of offenders as punishment for their crimes, but to what extent should it be allowed to detriment future opportunities and the livelihood of these offenders after they have served their time? Most offenders struggle with employment due to their criminal history and in many cases, their release from prison is just the beginning of a whole other phase of isolation and stigma that these ex-offenders have to face. Shouldn't their time in prison be punishment enough? We believe that by giving offenders opportunities for self-development and rehabilitation will keep them from the pains of imprisonment; be it prisoner violence or the open drug market prevalent in so many prison systems today. Books provide the means of education that should be allowed every human being on this planet, regardless of their offence. Reading not only builds character and opens the minds of the reader, but it keeps these offenders from negative behaviours that are so easy to fall into in the context of a prison.

We are 8 students majoring in Criminology and Sociology in UWE Bristol and we are raising money for Prisoners' Education Trust, a charity that provides prisoners with access to broader learning opportunities, in order to enhance their chances of building a better life after release.