Event recording – watch it back: National Year of Reading 26: Every story starts here – and continues with us 

We read books from authors who have passed away to navigate the copyright issue. 

At HMP Chelmsford, we have found that reading can play an important role in reducing anxiety, improving wellbeing, and encouraging more positive behaviours. One example is our “Book for Every Man” initiative, which recognises that the early days of custody can be particularly stressful and overwhelming. By providing individuals with an accessible, quick-read book on arrival, we offer a positive distraction and an opportunity for escapism at a time of heightened anxiety. Feedback from residents has consistently shown that the simple act of receiving a book can help them feel cared for, valued, and supported. 
 
Reading can also help individuals regulate emotions, reduce boredom, and provide a constructive focus during difficult periods. These factors can contribute to a calmer environment and may help reduce behaviours associated with frustration, conflict, anxiety, and social isolation. 
 
We have deliberately integrated reading into areas of life that are meaningful to individuals, including health and wellbeing, faith, family relationships, and personal development. By creating bespoke reading initiatives linked to these themes, we engage people through subjects they are already interested in, making reading more accessible and enjoyable. These initiatives provide purposeful activities, encourage positive use of time, and give residents something meaningful to work towards and engage with. 
 
We also run recognition schemes such as “Reader of the Month”, which help to create a positive reading culture across the establishment. Celebrating reading achievements demonstrates that we value personal development and recognise the efforts individuals make to engage in positive activities. This not only helps build confidence and self-esteem but also promotes a sense of pride, achievement, and belonging. Publicly recognising these successes reinforces positive behaviours and encourages others to participate. 
 
We also identify and provide additional support to individuals who are low-level readers through a dedicated key worker approach. This enables residential staff to better understand any barriers a person may face, whether related to literacy, confidence, learning needs, or previous educational experiences. Through regular engagement, staff can provide encouragement, tailor support, and help individuals access reading opportunities that are appropriate to their ability level. This approach not only promotes reading and personal development but also helps build stronger, more positive staff-prisoner relationships based on trust, understanding, and meaningful interaction. 
 
Importantly, reading is not promoted as an isolated activity but as part of a wider rehabilitative approach that supports wellbeing, strengthens relationships, builds confidence, and encourages positive behaviour. By helping individuals feel more connected, informed, and engaged, reading can contribute to creating a safer and more supportive environment for both residents and staff, while supporting efforts to reduce anxiety, self-harm, conflict, and aggression. 
 
Dr Jayne Finlay’s presentation refers to wider evidence for measurable wellbeing outcomes:​ 
Shared Reading in PIPEs in prisons – participants reported higher levels of wellbeing, hope, agency, self-efficacy and interpersonal trust than non-participants (Liebling et al., 2022)​ 
Shared reading in secure environments supports mental health and emotional wellbeing, particularly among people experiencing depression and social isolation (Billington, 2011; Billington, Longden & Robinson, 2016) 

Regular meetings between managers of the library service and prison management will help to establish common goals and how they can be achieved. Given finite resources, regular discussions about priorities help ensure provision is used as effectively as possible, driving efficiencies to maximise impact. Open discussions about any difficulties being experienced with service provision, and ways to overcome them, will be mutually beneficial.