During the nine-week pilot, books donated at Cornish Household Waste Recycling Centres were redistributed to nine prisons, helping to expand access to reading materials in prison libraries and education departments. The scheme supports learning and skills development for people in custody while providing a valuable reuse route for books that might otherwise have been recycled.

Katherine Lindsay, Head of Education, Skills & Work, HMP Channings Wood said “Access to books plays a vital role in supporting education, personal development and employability within our prisons. Through this partnership with SUEZ, we are expanding the range of reading materials available to people in prison helping to improve literacy, encourage rehabilitation, support skills development, and enhance opportunities for sustained employment on release.”

“SUEZ is a valued partner in our efforts to improve employment outcomes for prison leavers.” Said Alex Squire, Regional Employment Broker, HMPPS South West. “From supporting prison training and skills development to engaging with Employment Advisory Boards, offering recruitment opportunities and creating pathways through Release On Temporary Licence (ROTL), SUEZ has consistently demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation. Their support helps people in prison develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to secure sustainable employment on release.”

Olivia Crisp, Partnership & Community Engagement Manager at SUEZ said “It’s incredibly rewarding to see books donated by Cornwall residents helping to support learning and personal development in prisons across the South West. This pilot shows how reuse can deliver real social value, keeping valuable resources in circulation while creating opportunities for education and rehabilitation.”

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