The Role of Reading Initiatives and Bibliotherapy in Prisons Abroad and in Hungary
Copyright (c) 2026 Miklósi Márta
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Introduction: The effects of reading support and bibliotherapy initiatives in prisons are wide-ranging, and these positive effects may even indirectly contribute to the reintegration of prisoners into society.
Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate reading support programmes and bibliotherapy groups in prisons that can help prisoners to overcome their time in prison and to develop their personalities through improving their skills, reducing their anxiety and a number of other positive effects. The role of bibliotherapy in prisons will be discussed, with specific examples of initiatives that have been taken in this field both in the world and in our country.
Method: In order to gain a thorough understanding of the topic, I have searched the national and international academic literature on reading support and bibliotherapy initiatives in prisons, mainly examining the psychological and criminological aspects of the topic.
Conclusions: The main value of the study, besides the literature on the subject, is to show the positive effects of reading support and bibliotherapy in prisons. As well as helping prisoners to get out of the cells and establish social contacts, these programmes typically improve their general mood, reduce their anxiety levels and improve their communication and emotional expression skills.
Keywords:
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References
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