Lee Child backs prison reading scheme to distribute half a million books
Bestselling author Lee Child supports a campaign to send nearly half a million books to prisons across the UK this autumn.
Reading Agency delivers Quick Reads programme
The Reading Agency charity will distribute copies of 11 short books to every cell and prison library. This initiative covers England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland as part of its Quick Reads programme. Prison staff and inmates helped select the specific titles for distribution.
Campaign aims to reduce reoffending rates
Lee Child stated the project targets people leaving prison who struggle to cope outside custody. He noted that stopping one in ten returnees would be a major achievement for society. Statistics from 2024-25 show many new entrants have reading levels below typical GCSE standards.
Barriers face those wanting to turn lives around
Child warned that difficulty reading creates compounded barriers for individuals trying to rebuild their lives after release. He highlighted the benefit for someone who regrets their actions and wants to avoid returning to custody.
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