KOCHI: For many inmates, prison marks an abrupt end to the life they once knew. But within the walls of Keralam’s prisons, books are opening up possibilities that extend far beyond their sentences. From pursuing higher education to completing school-level examinations and even writing stories, inmates are finding a new purpose through prison libraries.
With thousands of books lining their shelves, libraries in the state’s central prisons have emerged as important spaces for learning and rehabilitation. What inmates seek most are investigative thrillers, fiction, novels, motivational books and history. But for some, the library is where unfinished educational journeys resume.
At Viyyur Central Jail, the library has around 20,000 books, making it one of the largest prison library collections in the state. Officials pointed out that several inmates are pursuing courses through institutions such as the Indira Gandhi National Open University and the Sreenarayanaguru Open University.
“One of the most significant things about our prison is the reading culture among inmates. We have around 20,000 books and several inmates are pursuing higher education. One inmate is now working towards his third PG degree. Our objective is to ensure that they leave prison as better individuals,” an official said.
At Thiruvanthapuram Central Prison, the library houses 17,974 books and has an average footfall of around 950 inmates a month, of whom nearly 200 are regular readers. Officials said there are even inmates who have read almost the entire collection and subsequently requested new books using their prison wages.
“Inmates have a particular interest in investigative thrillers and crime fiction. We screen the books before placing them in the library. An inmate can borrow up to three books at a time and must return them within 14 days,” the official said.
Library facilities available in all prisons in state
Several inmates pursuing academic courses request textbooks, guides and other study materials, which are bought using their prison wages. Officials at the Thiruvanthapuram Central Prison recalled the case of an inmate whose education was interrupted during his childhood.
After entering prison in connection with a murder committed during a theft, he resumed his studies and completed the Class X and Class XII exams. He is now pursuing a BA in sociology. “His education had come to a halt at a young age. It was only after coming to prison that he resumed his studies. We also have inmates pursuing courses in library science,” an official said.
The reading culture extends to Kannur Central Prison as well, which has a collection of around 16,464 books. Officials said nearly 40 to 50 inmates use the library regularly. Interestingly, the prison also has inmates who have taken to writing stories. The library at Thavannur Central Prison, established in 2022, currently has around 1,500 books, with new titles added annually.
Prison officials said library facilities are now available in all jails in Keralam, with accreditation from Kerala State Library Council. Books are replenished annually through the council, while additional funds are provided by the prison headquarters to purchase new titles.
Favourite reads
The collection in the central prison libraries includes popular titles such as ‘Thuramukham’, ‘Munthirippadam’, ‘Vaiga IPS’, ‘Ram C/O Anandhi’, ‘Aathreyakam’, etc. Works by Amish Tripathi, including Shiva trilogy and Ramchandra series, also feature among the books inmates seek.
