For more information and to request or make donations drop us a message on info@bangupbooks.com
For more information and to request or make donations drop us a message on info@bangupbooks.com
Bang Up Books distributes brand new books to prisons across England & Wales. Originally founded by Chris Atkins (Author: A Bit of A Stretch and Time After Time) in April 2020, from our early days donating the books we could persuade friends to give up from their bookshelves, we have gone from strength to strength and have now donated over 200,000 books directly to prisons. Our books cover all major genres, including fiction, sport, self-help, foreign language, childrens titles, and history. However, what makes our books particularly special is that they are nearly all recent releases, meaning that they're often brand new, and are also completely free for the prisons who receive them.
Feedback on the impact of our books is consistently excellent. Reading has overwhelming benefits for prisoners and wider society. Access to books supports development of crucial literacy skills, improves mental health, and builds empathy with others. We know that because of books donated by Bang Up Books, new readers have picked a book up for the first time, stories are shared that connect prisoners with their friends and family, reading groups are formed, libraries have received valuable supplements to their stock, new micro libraries have emerged around prisons, and we can support crucial ‘first night’ centres for those at the vulnerable moment of entering custody. With currently close to 50% of prisoners functionally illiterate, we are proud to play our part in the vision that no prisoner leaves prison unable to read.
We are grateful to our publishing partners without whom our donations would not be possible, and to staff in HMPPS who work hard to ensure the books reach the hands of prison readers. Every donation we receive is valuable, and every donation goes directly to one of the 114 prisons we provide books to in England and Wales.
If you are a publisher or large organisation keen to donate books, or a prison looking to receive books - please drop us a message at info@bangupbooks.com. We would love to hear from you!
"Bang Up Books is a brilliant idea. We all have too many books: stacked up on shelves or (worse) locked away in cupboards. Books can all too easily become an encumbrance, but put them into prisons and they become a force for good, a vital part of the rehabilitation process. Putting unwanted books where they are most wanted and where they will have the greatest impact makes obvious sense and I’m delighted to support Chris Atkins in his initiative.”
Anthony Horowitz,
author of Alex Rider, The Power of Five, Foyle’s War
"Books, books and more books are absolutely vital for those in jail; they not only provide entertainment and education, they nourish the imagination and help develop empathy. They also help overcome feelings of abandonment, because a book is the best friend anyone can have. I can't recommend this scheme too highly."
Deborah Moggach,
author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Tulip Fever
“Someone very smart one said: ‘We read to know we are not alone.’ And nowhere is this more true than in prisons, where books not only provide company and comfort, but examples, aspiration and hope. Bang Up Books is the best charitable initiative in publishing.”
Sathnam Sanghera,
author of The Boy With The Topknot and Marriage Material
Articles on the benefits of reading in prison:
New Statesman - Why reading books in prison can set you free
Copyright © 2025 Bang Up Books - All Rights Reserved.
Bang Up Books is run by Laura Suggitt, Chris Atkins, and Ben Stoll.
We are a registered Community Interest Company: 16211143