Many internationally recognized institutions, like Harvard University, offer free online courses, so with proper organization, and a secure network, libraries could offer inmates these courses as well…

Always committed to supporting the communities & organizations within the Sidama region, Hawassa University has provided the latest books to Hawassa Central Prison Library via the BAI-HU partnership project from the 2022 shipment ETH-BC-016-donated books from Book Aid International.

**Assistant Commissioner Yonas Yoye, Sidama N/R/State Prison Commission, When received books donated to Hawassa Central Library via the BAI-HU partnership project.**

By Mulugeta Woldetsadik, Librarian, Coordinator of BAI-HU Partnership Project, Hawassa University, Ethiopia

Book Aid International (BAI)-Hawassa University (HU) Partnership Project launched a new initiative titled “Books Behind Bars Support Program” or books-to-prisoners in the Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia, this new initiative program will be part and parcel of the major programs of BAI-HU Partnership Project within the Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia.

1. Why BAI-HU Partnership Project Do This?

Here are the reasons:

*****BAI-HU Partnership Project believes that reading is a basic human right. It is obvious that prisons do not have adequate prison library books collections due to the absence of attention to imprisoned people. The BAI-HU Partnership Project from 2022 onwards has initiated to promote literacy, reading, and education behind bars, and help break the cycle of habitual relapse into crime, through providing reading reference books to support the teaching & learning processes & educational programs underway within the prison Schools of the Sidama Region.

*****Supporting or providing books to imprisoned people is an act of love. It’s a way to provide direct aid and show solidarity with imprisoned communities. BAI-HU Partnership Project acknowledges Book Aid International’s need for behavioral change in imprisoned people through reading.

*****BAI-HU Partnership Project challenges mass imprisonment by providing books. We empower imprisoned people by providing access to knowledge of their choosing, so they can learn and grow as they desire.

*****BAI-HU Partnership Project believes that books are powerful. One book can change somebody’s life. Activists and visionaries such as Nelson Mandela, Angela Davis, Eldridge Cleaver, Malcolm X, and Gandhi wrote about the solace they received from books in prison. With Book Aid International’s help, we can make a positive impact on so many lives.

*****There are often excessive restrictions in place that prevent imprisoned people from obtaining reading materials. For example, they don’t allow family and friends to send books to prisons – Many families can’t afford to buy books for their loved ones in prison, and many imprisoned people have been in prison for so long that they don’t have any contact with the outside world.

That is why this new initiative titled “Books Behind Bars Support Program” or the books-to-prisoners is vital.

2. Books Behind Bars Support Program [Books to Prison Libraries] in Sidama Region, Ethiopia

Book Aid International’s vision is a world where everyone has access to books that will enrich, improve and change their lives.

Book Aid International works for a world where everyone has books that will enrich, improve and change lives. Every year, the charity sends around one million books to thousands of libraries, schools, universities, hospitals, refugee camps, and prisons where people would otherwise have few books or even no books at all.

Click Here to see The power of books in the Book Aid International vision for 2025.

In accordance with Book Aid International’s vision of 2025, the BAI-HU Partnership Project launched the Books Behind Bars Support Program in 2022 in order to reach out to imprisoned people within the Sidama National Regional State.

To implement the new initiative in collaboration with Book Aid International data collection and assessment of the prison libraries are already performed. According to information from the Sidama National Region State Prisons Commission, there are currently three prisons in the Sidama region. Although these prisons have schools to facilitate the education of their inmates, the existing libraries in these three prisons did not have enough reference books or information resources.

Therefore, starting in 2022, the following three prison libraries will be considered for inclusion in the book donation program under the BAI-HU Partnership Project’s new initiative entitled the “Books Behind Bars Support Program”.

3. Observation/Onsite Visit to Collect Data

3.1. Sidama National Regional State Prison Commission Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia

The BAI-HU Partnership Project Coordinator visited the Hawassa Central Prison Library in Hawassa City and agreed on eligibility requirements to support the education program of the Hawassa Central Prison School. A key discussion was held with the authorities of the S/N/R/State Prison Commission on how to organize and support prison libraries in Sidama National Regional State through BAI-HU new initiative Books Behind Bars Support Program. In the near future observation visit to prisons in the cities of Yirgarem and Bensa in order to collect evidence-based data on the conditions of these prison libraries.

“In Prison it must be made rich Library, people must educate their self there. Not to go stupid and more”
Deyth Banger

3.2. Current Condition of Hawassa Central Prison Library

The necessary information based on evidence about the background current status and service provision of Hawassa Central Prison Library has been already collected by the BAI-HU Partnership Project Coordinator by conducting an onsite observation visit to Hawassa Central Prison for the reporting purpose to our partner Book Aid International.