In an effort to promote education and rehabilitation within its correctional system, Brazil has introduced a unique policy allowing inmates to reduce their prison sentences by reading books and writing reviews.
Under this initiative, for every book a prisoner reads and submits a thoughtful review on, they can earn up to four days off their sentence.
The program, which has been implemented in various correctional facilities across the country, is part of a broader move to encourage intellectual development and reduce recidivism among inmates.
Known as the “Redemption Through Reading” program, the policy is open to inmates who are literate and willing to engage in literary analysis.
Participants are allowed to read up to 12 books per year, potentially earning a maximum sentence reduction of 48 days annually.
According to the guidelines, inmates must write their reviews independently, and each review is assessed by a committee to ensure originality, comprehension, and depth of reflection.
Books from a wide range of genres, including literature, science, and philosophy, are included in the program.
Justice officials in Brazil say the program is not just about reducing time served, but also about transforming lives through knowledge and providing inmates with tools that could help them reintegrate into society.
Human rights groups and educators have praised the initiative as a forward-thinking approach to prison reform. Supporters believe it fosters critical thinking and encourages a sense of purpose among inmates, many of whom had limited access to education prior to incarceration.
With Brazil’s prison population among the largest in the world, this literacy-focused reform offers a beacon of hope—turning the page not just on a book, but on the future of those behind bars.
