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Inside the reading habits of Highland prison inmates


By Andrew Dixon

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Inside Inverness Prison.
Inside Inverness Prison.

Fictional crime thrillers and true-life killer novels are among the books Inverness prisoners have been reading.

Heritage and science as well as the hit Game of Thrones series and even Oor Wullie have also featured on the reading list for some inmates since the start of 2019.

Self-help books were popular with titles including Meditation for Dummies and The 20-minute Body: 20 minutes, 20 days, 20 inches.

Education also featured with Higher physics exams for 2001-2005 requested, plus 15-minute German: Learn in just 12 weeks.

A freedom of information request showed reading was particular popular during November 2019.

Some of Carl Hiaasen’s (pictured) crime novels were among the 20 books requested by inmates that month. Others included:

  • The Broons and Oor Wullie: The early years 1936-1946
  • From quantum to cosmos: The universe within
  • Say nothing: A true story of murder and memory in Northern Ireland

Another was A Clockwork Orange and the autobiography of Anthony Gielty named Out of the Darkness: The Transformation of One of Scotland’s Most Violent Prisoners.

Meditation has been read about.
Meditation has been read about.

Some prisoners may have been looking for inspiration with SAS – Who Dares Wins: Leadership Secrets from the Special Forces and The Fear Bubble: Harness Fear and Live Without Limits.

Others might have been planning for when they were released with Self-build Manuel: How to Plan, Manage and Build the Home of Your Dreams and Building a Garage: A Complete Guide.

Scottish-themed books taken out included a couple about Culloden Battlefield, The Scottish Bothy Bible, and Scottish Urban Myths and Ancient Legends.

Reading demands also included nutrition books such as James Duigan’s Blueprint for Health.

Oor Wullie is a popular figure.
Oor Wullie is a popular figure.

Other topics included books about Chernobyl, Auschwitz, IRA, Sinn Fein and Tony Blair, Romans, Native Americas, Anime and astronomy.

Peter Rawlinson, head of operations at Inverness Prison, said: “Our library provider, High Life Highland, withdrew their service as a result of the pandemic in early 2020 and therefore requests were halted at that time.

“We only provide books through the prison library.”

Prisoners are also allowed to watch DVDs but records of usage are not kept.


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