Brazil uses a distinctive rule that lets prisoners shorten their sentences by reading books.
Reuters reported that inmates who read while incarcerated can reduce their prison time.
Brazil ranks among Latin America’s most crime-prone countries.
Its prisons often hold some of the world’s most dangerous people and face overcrowding and drug problems.
Civil society has long applauded the adoption of this law.
The law, published in the Brazilian National Gazette in 2012, states:
“Inmates in four federal prisons holding some of Brazil’s most notorious criminals will be able to read up to 12 works of literature, philosophy, science or classics to trim a maximum 48 days off their sentence each year.”
In Brazil, most of the inmates generally come from very impoverished backgrounds with a shallow literacy level.
Authorities require inmates to write essays about the books they read.
Officials evaluate those essays for correct use of language and grammar.
This measure has expanded educational access inside prisons.
The program has reportedly helped some inmates and may steer them away from future crime.