This is another one of those stories that could wash over you unnoticed in the daily tidal wave of facts and news. However, I was struck by this concept and would like to know who thought of it, does it actually work, and if it can be implemented anywhere else? I’m referring to the judge who allowed Brazilian prisoners to slightly reduce their sentence in prison if they read a book and write a brief report about it. They are permitted to read a maximum of 12 books and must write a proper essay to qualify. Each book can reduce a sentence by four days.
While thinking about this topic I searched for other places offering the same option and haven’t found any yet, but here’s a story by a former prisoner who found reading helped him personally, if not to lessen his time served. Link to EPL books on prison life.
Shira S.