For over a decade, the Brazilian government has extended a unique opportunity to its incarcerated population: the chance to reduce their sentences through reading. The “Remission for Reading” program, first introduced in 2011, has since become a model for other nations seeking innovative rehabilitation strategies. Today, similar initiatives are being adopted in countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, offering prisoners not only a way to shorten their sentences but also a means to expand their intellectual horizons and reintegrate into society with a new perspective.
Brazil’s criminal justice system has long grappled with high incarceration rates and significant recidivism. With an imprisonment rate ranking among the top 15 globally and a reoffending rate exceeding 80%, the system has historically struggled to fulfill its 1984 mandate, which stipulates that prisoners must have access to educational and rehabilitative programs. “Remission for Reading” was conceived as a response to this crisis, designed to encourage personal development and reduce recidivism by fostering literacy, critical thinking, and cultural enrichment.
The program operates on a straightforward premise: every inmate, regardless of literacy level or cognitive ability, is given access to a prison library, which includes not only traditional books but also Braille editions and audiobooks for those with visual impairments. Upon checking out a book, prisoners are given between 21 to 30 days to read it, depending on its length. Following this period, they have an additional 10 days to submit a written report that demonstrates their comprehension and engagement with the material. Support is provided for those who may struggle with language barriers or cognitive challenges.
For each approved book report, an inmate’s sentence is reduced by four days, with a maximum of 12 reports allowed per year—potentially shortening a prison term by up to 48 days annually. The program has been widely embraced, both by prisoners and correctional staff, who see it as a constructive approach to rehabilitation. “We hope to create a new perspective on life for them,” Ajda Ultchak, a program educator, explained to UNESCO. “This is about acquiring knowledge and culture and being able to join another universe.”
Carambaia, a Brazilian publishing house, has played a significant role in supporting the program, helping to stock prison libraries and offering prisoners the opportunity to write book reviews. These reviews not only assist the publisher in promoting its books but also provide inmates with a platform to express their thoughts and insights. A study conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics found that prisoners engaged in the program read nine times more than the national average of five books per year. “Carambaia is a Brazilian publisher focused on those who are passionate about reading, and we find that no one reads more than the prisoners,” the company stated. “By giving voice to them and using the texts they produced, we show society that they are thinking, critical beings with their own opinions, which must be respected.”
The success of “Remission for Reading” has inspired similar initiatives in other nations. In 2021, Kazakhstan launched the “Reading Without Borders” program in correctional facilities in the Karaganda region. The initiative introduced a selection of 40 classic Russian and Kazakh literary works from the 19th and 20th centuries, and its initial success has led to discussions about expanding the program nationwide.
Uzbekistan, Brazil’s Central Asian counterpart with strong religious influences, has also implemented a reading-based rehabilitation strategy. However, its approach includes a more curated selection of books, chosen by the “Center for Spirituality and Enlightenment.” This ensures that the content aligns with the government’s objectives of fostering intellectual and moral growth among inmates. The program aims not only to educate but also to instill a sense of ethical responsibility and personal development.
The idea of redemptive reading has even gained traction in Russia, where State Duma officials are advocating for a similar system. Their proposal emphasizes the value of Russian literary classics, such as Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” and Tolstoy’s “Resurrection,” as essential texts for moral and intellectual growth. Given that three of these four countries—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia—impose significant internet censorship, concerns have arisen regarding the potential for ideological influence in these programs. However, supporters argue that classic literature, with its deep exploration of human nature and ethical dilemmas, remains an invaluable tool for rehabilitation.
Literature offers an unparalleled lens into the complexities of human existence. Great works of fiction synthesize countless lived experiences, providing insight into the struggles, hopes, and moral questions that define humanity. For prisoners, who often exist in isolated and restrictive environments, books offer a means of intellectual escape and transformation. The ability to engage with stories of redemption, resilience, and ethical dilemmas can have profound psychological and emotional benefits, guiding inmates toward more constructive life choices.
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers,” Charles W. Eliot once said. As countries continue to explore ways to reform their correctional systems, reading programs stand out as a cost-effective and impactful method of rehabilitation. By giving prisoners the opportunity to learn, reflect, and engage with literature, societies are not only reducing incarceration rates but also fostering the personal growth necessary for successful reintegration into the world beyond prison walls.
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