'Reading for Life': Prison Reading Groups in Practice and Theory

Abstract

This article considers the theoretical and practice-based evidence for the therapeutic effects of the shared reading of literature (poetry, fiction, plays, short stories) in prison communities. Taking as its starting point recent research and practice relating to the successful intervention ('Get into Reading') pioneered by UK charity The Reader Organisation, the article situates the components of this model in the context of established theories of reader response, as well as new research on reading and the brain. Yet its focus is always shared reading in practice and, through specific examples and testimony from prisoners and those who read with them (including health professionals), the article demonstrates the vital relation of this intervention to current recommendations in respect of the mental health needs of prisoners. It also offers a possible model for future interdisciplinary research in this field.

Bibliotherapy for Mental Health

“…Instead, participants are asked to identify and elaborate on complex experiences, which assist the participants to reflect on their lives and situations with increasing insight and awareness. Researchers and participants reported that among this group of depressed patients, calming of agitation and mental anxiety was frequently observed (Billington, 2011).…”

“…These groups focus on reading literature such as novels, short stories, and poems as a means of group therapy. In this research, there were 200 such groups (Billington, 2011).…”

“…To comply with this government policy, research and published evidence of literary bibliotherapy has been collected and disseminated throughout the prison and mental health system so that best practices can be followed (Billington, 2011).…”

“…Stories from Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy, Charles Dickens, and others were read and discussed. These stories provided the readers with the ability to look at themselves and their group from a more profound perspective in which concepts such as self-realization, rehabilitation and actualization could be discussed (Billington, 2011).…”

“…It is the hope of this researcher that English Literature and Humanities will work alongside social and biomedical sciences in the treatment of detainees and the mentally ill (Billington, 2011).…”