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The power of reading in prisons

Published:

In the first episode of The Prison Inspectors, Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor sits down with education expert and associate inspector Louise Johns-Shepherd, to explore a transformative yet often overlooked force in prison life: reading.

Drawing on insights from HMI Prisons’ new Reading for Rehabilitation thematic review, published 13 January 2026, they unpack how limited reading skills affect daily life behind bars, influence life after release, and contribute to cycles of reoffending.

Together, they spotlight inspiring examples of good practice from prisons leading the way with committed leaders, staff, libraries, and voluntary organisations, and talk through the practical checklist that governors can use to drive change.

Devised and recorded in house, new episodes of the podcast will be released each month. Listen on the platforms linked below, or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

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