The Arts Council is partnering with the Irish Prison Service this year for a book gifting initiative which will take place on Culture Night.
Prisoners across 13 prisons will be gifted books in an effort to that ensure the Culture Night experience “continues to include those who cannot otherwise participate”, a statement from the Arts Council said.
On Friday, September 20th the Arts Council, via Read Mór, will gift a curated list of 30 book titles from some of Ireland’s most beloved writers to all 13 prisons nationwide.
The list of books was developed in consultation with teaching staff from the Prison Service, and will offer a diverse selection of novels, short stories and poetry.
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Seven prisons will host events featuring readings and discussions with participating authors.
Authors who will be handing out copies of their books and reading excerpts in prisons are Pat Sheedy in Portlaoise Prison, Emmett O’Brien in the Progression Unit Mountjoy, Colm Keegan in Shelton Abbey Prison, Mike McCormack in Castlerea Prison, Annemarie Ní Chuireáinn in the Dóchas Centre (Mountjoy’s Female Prison) and Will Sliney in Cork Prison.
“Reading has always been a popular pastime in prisons. For those with poor literacy skills it can also be a challenge, but our education units do incredible work to enable those in our care to begin to enjoy reading,” Caron McCaffrey, director general of the Irish Prison Service, said.
Maureen Kennelly, director of the Arts Council, said she was “thrilled” about the collaboration.
“We know that access to literature can be a powerful tool for personal growth. By fostering a love for reading, we aim to empower prisoners with the knowledge and inspiration that can open new paths in their lives,” she said.
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