HMP Peterborough prisoners build 10 new Little Free Libraries for communities in Peterborough
HMP Peterborough has partnered with Little Free Librarian, Dr Catherine Galloway, and Cambridge-based community charity, Abbey People, and others to build ten new Little Free Libraries for communities across Peterborough as part of the ‘Making Cambridge Reading Rich’ project.
The libraries have been designed, built and decorated by prisoners representing both the men's and women's side at HMP Peterborough, operated by Sodexo, and with the first library unveiled outside of the prison during a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday (Thursday 22nd October).
HMP Peterborough is the first prison in the UK to support this project, which aims to create 50 new book-sharing boxes across communities in Cambridgeshire and neighbouring areas as part of the UK National Year of Reading 2026, an initiative set up by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust.
The second library will be installed at Outside Links, a community-based support hub run by HMP Peterborough that supports people leaving prison, people experiencing homelessness and others in the local community.
The remaining eight libraries will be installed at locations across Peterborough, including four Barnardo’s Child and Family Centres: East, First Steps, Honeyhill and Orton, with the remaining locations to be confirmed.
From left to right: Emma Morton, National Literacy Trust; Dr Catherine Galloway, project lead and Adele Shaw, Industrial and Vocational Manager, Sodexo at HMP Peterborough
According to a report by the Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, Peterborough is considered one of the most challenging places to grow up in England. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice estimates that 57% of prisoners have literacy levels below what is expected of an 11-year-old, increasing the chances of reoffending.
This project, backed by the National Literacy Trust, Cambridgeshire County Council, and other partners including Jesus College Cambridge, Constructed Pathways, and the Farmington Institute, aims to change the story on literacy and book access across the region.
We know that bringing high-quality, free books to where people are makes a massive difference to literacy levels.
Spotting something wonderful to read or donating your own favourites for others as you pass by the box makes picking up a book again very easy. In addition, 98% of people say having a Little Free Library in their neighbourhood makes it feel a friendlier place.
Having prisoners at HMP Peterborough contributing to that is a perfect example of how this project is changing the story for everyone involved.
Many prisoners took part in reconditioning the wood, the construction of the libraries, and producing the artwork for each library with a different theme as part of a competition.
One prisoner who took part in this project said they "immensely enjoyed doing this Little Library project for our community and hope we can continue contributing towards making our society a better place," while another said, "we are gifting a journey through the mind, reading keeps you free!"
We're delighted to be supporting this important project for the local area.
Prisoners feel empowered and proud that they are involved in a project that helps people and communities in an area they can relate to which is an essential part of the rehabilitation process.
We want these libraries not only inspire people to read, but to also restore hope in communities.
Through our brilliant network of Literacy Champions, six Little Free Libraries made by prisoners at in HMP Peterborough have found homes in communities across our city.
This will ensure people have access to books which is crucial in supporting reading for pleasure, alongside supporting their wellbeing, confidence and connection.
We hope these community libraries encourage more people in Peterborough to pick up a book and find something they love reading.
This project builds on a successful initiative that began in the Abbey ward of Cambridge in 2020, where a network of Little Free Libraries established by Dr Galloway and volunteer librarians has already helped tens of thousands of books find new readers.
The ribbon was cut by Andrew Pakes MP, and the ceremony was attended by the National Literacy Trust, Constructed Pathways, Barnardo's children charity, Peterborough Football Club Foundation, students from Milton Keynes College, and local authors.
Every child in Peterborough deserves the chance to discover a love of reading, and putting free books where families live and play is a simple way to make that happen. This is the National Year of Reading in action, and Little Free Libraries like these are a small idea that can make a big difference.
What makes this project even more special is the people behind it. The men and women at HMP Peterborough have shown real pride in building these libraries, and that is what good rehabilitation looks like.Having the chance to give something back to the community while developing their own skills is invaluable, and it helps to cut reoffending.
Thank you to everyone involved for helping to change the story on literacy in our city.
Andrew Pakes, Labour MP for Peterborough cuts the ribbon of the new little free library outside HMP Peterborough
- The Little Free Library movement began in Wisconsin, USA, in 2009 and now includes more than 200,000 registered libraries across 128 countries, with more than 500 million books shared in neighbourhoods worldwide.
- Each library will receive an individual charter number by Little Free Library that can be viewed globally.
- The project aims to create 50 Little Free Libraries across Arbury, King’s Hedges, Chesterton, Trumpington, Huntingdon, Peterborough, St Neots and Fenland.
- Jesus College Cambridge is the project’s founding university partner and Constructed Pathways is its civic partner.
Initial financial support for the project was provided by the Farmington Institute. - Prisoner students from both HMP Peterborough's carpentry and art workshops contributed to this project.
- The prison plans to improve the area in which the first library will be located, with a commemorative mural created by a local artist, books, and plants on-site.
Find about more about the Abbey People charity
Find out more about Sodexo Justice Services