Cover image via MCCHR Pusat Rakyat LB (Facebook)
If your bookshelf is overflowing with books you've already read (or bought on a whim but never touched), here's a meaningful way to give them a new life — by donating them to prison libraries
Image via MCCHR Pusat Rakyat LB (Facebook)
Buku Beyond Bars is a thoughtful initiative sparked by a powerful conversation with Encik Razali, a former death row inmate.
He shared that inmates on death row only get one hour outside their cells each day, and most of their time is spent indoors — with reading being one of the few ways they can mentally escape.
But with such limited reading material, many end up flipping through the same pages again and again.
Image via MCCHR Pusat Rakyat LB (Facebook)
That reality inspired the creation of Buku Beyond Bars — an initiative dedicated to expanding prison libraries across Malaysia
It's a simple concept with powerful impact: collect books from the public and deliver them directly into the hands of inmates who need them.
From self-help to sci-fi, donated books are already making their way to Sungai Buloh Prison.
Image via MCCHR Pusat Rakyat LB (Facebook)
Image via MCCHR Pusat Rakyat LB (Facebook)
Since launching, Buku Beyond Bars has seen a heartening response from the public
People have donated all kinds of books — novels, motivational reads, religious texts, and more — in various languages, reflecting Malaysia's diverse population.
The team is now preparing for their first major handover at Sungai Buloh Prison, with more updates to come.
Image via MCCHR Pusat Rakyat LB (Facebook)
Image via MCCHR Pusat Rakyat LB (Facebook)
Here's how you can donate your books and be part of this meaningful effort:
Got books you'd like to contribute? Just drop them off at:
MCCHR (Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights)
6-2, Oval Damansara, Jalan Damansara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours
9.30am – 5.30pm (Monday to Thursday)
If you have questions about what kinds of books are suitable, or if you want to arrange a bulk donation, you can reach out via WhatsApp at +6010-5318475 (Effa).
What kinds of books are most needed?
While all genres are welcome, the initiative especially appreciates:
- Fiction (including classics, thrillers, sci-fi, etc.)
- Motivational and self-help titles
- Language learning books
- General non-fiction
- Books in Malay, English, Tamil, and Mandarin
Please avoid donating books that are in poor condition, heavily damaged, or filled with sensitive political or religious content that may not be suitable in a prison setting.
