The initiative is supported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the Philippines is also expected to help reduce chronic overcrowding in detention centers in the Southeast Asian country.
Dave*, who just served one month into a six-month prison sentence, spends up to eight hours a day in the library at the Iligan City Jail.
He is currently immersed in a graphic novel called The filibusterisman adaptation of a story by the beloved Filipino intellectual and political activist José Rizal.
“I like to read, especially historical fiction,” he said UN News when visiting the prison. “Reading is a distraction; it helps pass the time and takes my mind off my problems. It also gives me a sense of freedom that I can’t get in prison.”
UN News/Daniel Dickinson
Graphic novels are a popular choice among library users.
Time off for good behavior
Not only does reading allow Dave to escape the monotony of daily life in the institution, it also ensures that he receives a lighter sentence.
He takes part in the Magbasa Tungo on the run orRead your way out program, supported by UNODCFor every 60 hours that prisoners in this prison spend reading each month, they can receive a 15-day sentence reduction.
“This is a big advantage for me because I love reading. The more I read, the shorter my sentence,” Dave said. As a library assistant, he is also what is known as a reading buddy. His role is to encourage other prisoners to read and help them choose books from the library.
Every day, about 10 to 20 prisoners borrow books. The hope is that this number will increase, so that other prisoners who normally do not like to read can participate.
UNODC/Laura Gil
A prison guard reads a book in the library.
The library has a selection of books, both fiction and non-fiction, in English and Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines.
There is a selection of self-help and law books, which prisoners in this prison find particularly useful, as the vast majority are held in pre-trial detention awaiting their day in court. There are also religious texts, which are aimed at both the Muslim and Christian populations in the prison.
The cataloguing research was conducted in consultation with the National Library of the Philippines, which also provided training in library management to prison officers.
Chad Diaz, the head of the training department, said: “It is a perfect idea. Our mission at the National Library is to reach all people, especially marginalized groups. It is also an excellent way to build the capacity of our brothers and sisters who have been deprived of their freedom.”
The pilot project at Iligan City Jail launched in April 2024 and is already making a difference, said prison officer Reiaine Sulit. “It was overwhelming when we received so many books. The inmates were so happy,” she said. “I think reading brings a sense of peace to the prison.”
UN News/Daniel Dickinson
Prison guard Reiaine Sulit works in the library.
The prison, like many other detention centers in the Philippines, is severely overcrowded, with some 550 inmates currently held in a facility designed for only 270.
Rafael Bareto Souza of UNODC, a crime prevention and criminal justice officer, said the programme could help reduce prison overcrowding in the Philippines.
“The main objective is to relieve the burden on facilities, but it also has the added benefit of increasing literacy and education levels and promoting the reintegration of prisoners into society after their incarceration.”
Overcrowded prisons
Decongesting prisons has become a major priority for the Philippine government following a policy shift toward a more humane approach to the treatment of prisoners. Relieving overcrowding improves conditions for prisoners and reduces the burden on services such as health care.
The concept of reading-based sentence reduction is common in some Latin American and European countries, but “this incentive system for sentence reduction is the first in Asia,” said Rafael Bareto Souza. “It is innovative and progressive, and other countries in the region have shown interest in the idea.”
Back in Iligan City Prison, the pages keep turning.
UNODC/Laura Gil
A prisoner and his reading buddy discuss a self-help book.
A prisoner studied a law book entitled Proof explained in preparation for a meeting with his lawyer the next day. Another discussed a self-help book with his reading buddy called do not worrywhile a third man was eager to read the novel The Count of Monte Cristo after seeing the film of the same name before going to prison.
The men’s preferences and interests may differ, but they will all benefit from reduced sentences as a result of their participation in the reading program.
* not his real name
Prisoner Readers: UNODC and Prison Libraries
- UNODC has worked with prison authorities on a policy aimed at establishing “one functional and sustainable library for every prison.”
- UNODC initiated the implementation of this policy by establishing 13 new prison libraries across the country (including the Iligan City Jail). These libraries are equipped with books, shelves, computers and other materials.
- In July 2023, 28 percent of prisons had at least some books available for inmates. By early 2024, this number had increased by four percent.
- The expansion to 467 prisons in the Philippines will be carried out with the support of local governments through the regular budget for community public libraries.
