Campaign in Malaysia seeks to transform prison libraries

Aims to collect books that foster reflection, offer emotional support to inmates 

KUALA LUMPUR,  Malaysia (MNTV) — The Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) has launched a community book drive called “Buku Beyond Bars” to expand the materials available in prison libraries, reports The Star. 

The campaign aims to collect books that will foster reflection, growth, and emotional support for those who are incarcerated. According to MCCHR’s communications and outreach strategist, Effa Qamariani, books are vital for comforting prisoners and keeping their minds active during long isolation. 

The idea for the campaign came from Razali Ahmad, who spent 20 years behind bars. Razali credits books with helping him cope with the challenges of prison life and sees them as a powerful tool for self-improvement.

“Buku Beyond Bars” accepts a wide range of books, including self-help titles, fiction, classic and modern literature, biographies, and memoirs.

However, materials with excessive violence, explicit sexual content, or provocative cover art are not accepted.

Since the campaign started, hundreds of books have been collected, which will soon be delivered to Sungai Buloh Prison.

MCCHR plans to expand the initiative to other prisons, including those housing women inmates.

“We aim to build community support in collecting books that can foster reflection, growth, and emotional support for those who are incarcerated,” says Effa.