A bid to expand prison libraries has been launched.

Renee Ming, the national security minister, said the prison system contained a lot of keen readers who would benefit from donations of new books.

Ms Ming said: “The Department of Corrections has quite a number of avid readers within our correctional facilities who are very interested in reading new books particularly, in the genres of culture, non-fiction, education, business, self-help, and spirituality.

“There's also an interest for specific fiction authors.

“We would be grateful for new books, in these areas, from which our incarcerated residents can be mentally stimulated and encouraged in their personal growth.”

Ms Ming said the book drive would run for the rest of this month and November.

She praised the prison service for the idea, as well as island bookstores that had agreed to take part in the scheme.

Ms Ming said members of the public could visit local The Bookmart or The Griot this month and next month to by a book for any of the prison service institutions.

She added that the books should be left at the stores for collection by prison service personnel.

Ms Ming said: “The public is thanked in advance for their participation and support of the community book drive.”