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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Emma Loffhagen

Lee Child backs launch of reading scheme to send prisons half a million books

Author Lee Child (third right) and Jake Richards MP (third left) talk to prisoners in HM Prison Doncaster. The prisoners are only seen from behind
‘Proper books, proper storytellers’ … author Lee Child, third right, and Jake Richards MP talk to inmates in HMP Doncaster. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Guardian

Nearly half a million books will be distributed across prisons in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland this autumn, in a campaign backed by bestselling thriller writer Lee Child.

The initiative, delivered by the Reading Agency charity as part of its Quick Reads programme, will see copies of 11 short books distributed, with titles selected with input from prisoners as well as staff. A book will be distributed to every cell across the prison estate, as well as stock sent to prison libraries.

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