‘Books behind bars’ move helps inmates

LA PAZ: Inmates in Bolivia’s overcrowded prisons can now reduce their jail time by reading books in a new programme influenced by one in Brazil that aims to spread literacy.

The state programme, “Books behind bars” offers detainees a chance to get out of jail days or weeks in advance of their release date. Bolivia does not have a life sentence or death penalty, but pretrial detention can last for years due to a slow judicial system.

The programme is now in 47 prisons that do not have resources to pay for education, reintegration or social assistance programmes for prisoners. So far, 865 inmates are improving their skills.