Justice Minister marked Book Week NI in a visit
to the library at Hydebank Wood Secure College and Female Prison.
Book Week NI runs from Monday 21 October to Sunday 27 October and
encourages adults across Northern Ireland to join in a reading
experience.
said: “Prison libraries
are an important hub of learning for people in custody. They are
a calming space for anyone and everyone; from people just
learning to read, right through to those who read multiple books
every week.
“The Book Week initiative shows that reading is not just
a skill we learn in school - it's something that can support
personal growth and help people deal with challenges in their
lives. For many prisoners, reading has become a form of escapism,
offering relief from the confines of their cells while expanding
their minds.”
Hydebank Wood College Governor said: “Book Week is an
opportunity to highlight the importance of making reading
accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or current
reading ability. By offering a variety of activities and
approaches to reading, Prison Service is helping prisoners build
skills that can benefit them both inside and outside prison.
“In prison, reading can be a useful tool for learning, passing
time, and managing stress. By incorporating
a variety of reading experiences, from audiobooks to subtitles,
and even reading through touch, learners are encouraged to
explore new ways to interact with literature, emphasising that
reading is personal and can be adapted to everyone's needs.”
Hydebank College librarian Deborah Martin said: “Throughout Book
Week, the young men and women here at Hydebank took part in
activities designed to make reading more engaging. They were
involved in book folding, which is very popular especially among
the females, participated in creative art classes and some even
recorded a storybook for their children.”
Deborah added: “Prison librarians have an important role creating
a welcoming and safe space where people can experience something
different, whether it's renting a DVD, playing a game of chess,
browsing magazines or checking out books.”
