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 Justice, 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 host its own Little Free Library and support a project of this kind.
’Making Cambridge Reading Rich’ aims to create 50 new book-sharing boxes across underserved communities in Cambridgeshire as part of the UK National Year of Reading 2026, an initiative set up by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust.
Another Little Free 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.
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 run by Abbey People, and backed by partners including Jesus College Cambridge, Constructed Pathways, and Farmington Institute aims to change the story on literacy and book access across the region.
More than 10 prisoners took part in reconditioning the wood, the construction of the libraries, and producing the themed artwork for each library with the final designs chosen 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!”
Dr Catherine Galloway, who leads on this project, said: “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.”
Andrew Barringer, Senior Operational Leader at HMP Peterborough, said: “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 to inspire people to read, but to also restore hope in communities.”
Becky Marrs, Manager of the National Literacy Trust in Peterborough, said: “Through our brilliant network of Literacy Champions, six Little Free Libraries made by prisoners at HMP Peterborough have found homes in communities across our city. This will ensure people have access to books which is crucial in promoting 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.
Photo credit: Nate Lansdell Photography
