Book limits for prisoners overturned by Justice Secretary

According to The Sunday Times, the Justice Secretary will announce the policy move this week. He is expected to use a speech to announce the importance of education for prisoners behind bars.

Michael Gove has ordered a rule limiting the number of books allowed in each cell to 12 to be scrapped, while relatives and friends will now be able to send books to inmates directly.

The previous Justice Secretary Chris Grayling had banned relatives sending packages of books to inmates, as well as restricting the number of books present in each cell. He said the policy was part of a crackdown on “perks and privileges” afforded to prisoners.

Mr Gove's intervention - one of his first key changes to prison policy since being appointed - is part of a drive to prepare criminals for work when they are released and reduce reoffending rates.