Books become a way to combat overcrowding in Philippine prisons

The reading programme initiative for prisoners in Philippine prisons supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is expected to be a success.UNODC), also help alleviate chronic overcrowding in detention centres in the Southeast Asian country.

“I like to read, especially historical novels,” a man, we will call him Dave, told UN News on a visit to Iligan prison. “Reading distracts me, helps me pass the time and takes my mind off my problems. It also gives me a sense of freedom that I cannot get in prison.”

Dave, who is one month into a six-month sentence, spends up to eight hours a day in the library at the Iligan City jail.

He is currently engrossed in a graphic novel titled El Filibusterismo, an adaptation of a short story by revered Filipino intellectual and political activist José Rizal.

More reading = greater reduction in sentence

Reading has not only provided Dave with a not only will it not only provide you with freedom from the monotony of daily life within this centre, but it will also help you achieve a reduction in your sentence..

Participate in the program Magbasa Tungo sa Paglaya or Read Your Way Outwhich is supported by UNODC in the Philippines. For every 60 hours that prisoners in this prison spend reading each month, they can get a 15-day reduction in their sentence..

“It’s a big advantage for me because I love to read. The more I read, the shorter my sentence is,” says Dave, who works as a library assistant and “reading buddy.” His role is to encourage other prisoners to read and help them choose books from the library.

Between 10 and 20 inmates borrow books daily, and the hope is to increase that number to include other inmates who are not typically drawn to reading.

A prison officer selects a book from the library.

The library stocks a selection of books, both fiction and nonfiction, in English and Tagalog, the Philippine national language. There is a selection of self-help and law books, which the inmates in this prison find especially useful.as the vast majority are in pretrial detention awaiting their day in court. There are also religious texts, for both the Muslim and Christian populations.

The catalogue was developed in collaboration with the National Library of the Philippines, which also provided training on library management to prison officers. Chad Diaz, head of the training section, said: “It’s a perfect idea. Our mission at the National Library is to reach out to all people, especially marginalized groups. It’s also a great way to empower our brothers and sisters in prison.”

The pilot project in Iligan City Jail It was launched in April 2024 and is already making a difference“It was overwhelming when we received so many books,” said prison officer Reiaine Sulit. “The prisoners were very happy. (…) I think that reading brings a sense of calm to the prison.”

Overcrowded prisons

Iligan prison, like many detention centres in the Philippines, is severely overcrowded. There are currently about 550 inmates housed in a facility designed for just 270 people.

Rafael Bareto Souza, UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, said the programme could help reduce overcrowding in Philippine prisons. “The primary goal is to decongest facilities, but it has the added benefit of increasing literacy rates and educational levels, as well as helping prisoners reintegrate into society after incarceration.”

Decongesting prisons has become a key priority for the Philippine government following a policy shift toward a more humane approach to the treatment of inmates. Easing overcrowding improves conditions for prisoners and reduces consumption of services such as healthcare.

Reiaine Sulit is a prison employee who works in the library.

The concept of reducing sentences based on reading is common in some Latin American and European countries, but “this system of incentives for sentence reduction is the first in Asia,” Souza said. “It is innovative and progressive, and other countries in the region have become interested in the idea.”

In Iligan prison the reading continues. A prisoner was studying a law book entitled Evidence Explained (Explanation of the facts) to prepare a meeting with your lawyer the next day. Another was discussing with his reading companion a self-help book entitled Don’t Worry (Don’t worry), while a third was looking forward to reading the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, having seen the film of the same name before entering prison.

Men’s tastes and concerns may differ, but all will benefit from reduced sentences as a result of their participation in the reading program.

Two inmates discuss a self-help book.

Some facts about UNODC and prison libraries

• UNODC worked with prison authorities on a policy that aims to establish “a functional and sustainable library for each prison”
• UNODC launched the implementation of this policy with the establishment of thirteen new prison libraries across the country (including the Iligan City Prison), equipped with books, bookshelves, computers and other materials.
• In July 2023, 28% of prisons had at least some books available to inmates. By early 2024, this figure had increased by 4%.
• The expansion to 467 prisons in the Philippines is planned to be carried out with the support of local governments through the regular budget allocated to community public libraries.