Bodies imprisoned, but book drive seeks to free minds
In the movie The Shawshank Redemption, the protagonist is frustrated that the prison where he is serving a life sentence for a double homicide, did not have many books in its library.
So, he decided to write a letter to the state once a week requesting books and funds. After six years, he succeeded.
Similarly, prison libraries in Malaysia are lacking in books, but one NGO determines to change this with the help of DAP lawmaker Rajiv Rishyakaran.
Last December, the “Book Drive for Prisoners” was launched with a total of 300,000 books collected within four weeks.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, the Bukit Gasing assemblyperson said the overwhelming public support had exceeded expectations.
Although the initiative had ended, Rajiv said books, ranging from novels to comics, are still pouring in.
Rajiv revealed that the initiative was proposed by Ananda Rao, the founder of NGO Pertubuhan Kebajikan Sosial Sivasakthi.
“Last October, he (Ananda) proposed a book donation to help prisoners. During that time, I believed my team could manage it, so we went for it,” he added.
Inmates fond of colouring books
Ananda, a 63-year-old retired soldier, started working with prisoners more than a decade ago, conducting classes on Hinduism.
He revealed that Indian inmates often asked for books with images of Hindu deities.
“When we give them (colouring books) to colour the Indian gods, they are very happy.
“When colouring or drawing a particular god, they will ask the god's name or question why the god is holding a weapon and other items.
“So we explain to them. From this, we develop (their understanding of Hinduism),” he added.
However, inmates cannot take the books to their cells. With prior approval, they can visit the library for 30 minutes.
After noticing the scarcity of books in prison libraries, Ananda said he decided to start a campaign to collect new reading material.
“Some were afraid to bring the matter up with (prison authorities). But I am a former military man, I don't feel threatened. So, I explained in a nice manner and they were willing to help.
“I told them that the prisoners are lonely, thinking of their families. Books, even cartoon books, can help ease their stress,” he added.
As for the books collected, Ananda said his NGO would need about two months to sort and send them to 10 prisons and juvenile detention centres nationwide. These include the Sungai Buloh prison, Puncak Alam correctional centre, Tapah prison, Batu Gajah prison, Taiping prison, Sungai Petani prison and others.
At most, he said each prison or detention centre could accommodate 500 books. The rest would be donated to schools and public libraries.
Give them more time to read
Meanwhile, MalaysianCare community development manager (prison and addiction) Sam Lim expressed disappointment that books and libraries are not included in the prisoner rehabilitation programmes.
He said there must be a better system to allow prisoners greater access to these facilities with proper security.
“At present, there is little leeway. You request (for permission), you go (to the library). After 30 minutes, you must come back (to the cell),” he told Malaysiakini.
He suggested that prison authorities organise campaigns, events and competitions related to books.
Sam, who has been with MalaysianCare since 2009, teaches at several prisons and juvenile detention centres.
Based on his experience, he said male prisoners are more interested in biographies, pictorial books with images of sports cars, ghost stories or love stories.
Since the majority of juvenile inmates are illiterate, he said they preferred books with pictures.
As prison libraries do not see changes to their book collection, those serving long prison terms are forced to read the same material.
Concurring with Ananda, Sam said books can help alleviate mental stress, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and movement control order (MCO).
Under the MCO, prisons do not allow visitors, including those from NGOs, resulting in numerous programmes being suspended.
Furthermore, Sam said prisoners are forced to remain in their respective cells and this has compounded their mental anguish. - Mkini
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