A library has been built at a prison in Maidan Wardak province with the help of civil society activists who say the initiative is aimed at helping prisoners to get educated.

The library was inaugurated last week. Local officials said the move is to establish a different environment for prisoners.    

Wardak Governor Abdul Yamin Muzaffaruddin said the library has at least 1,000 books of different subjects. 

“We urge prisoners to spend their time on reading books,” the governor said. 

“We the civil society organizations are trying to bring more books for the library so that prisoners get a good benefit from these books,” said Hekmatullah Ulfat, a civil society activist.

Some prisoners, meanwhile, said they welcome the move by the civil society activists and local officials.  

“Since the establishment of this library, we see many prisoners who spend their time at this library to read books,” said Rouhllah, a prisoner. 

“We appreciate those who established this library and we are trying to spend more time here,” said Khairullah, a prisoner. 

According to local officials, vocational trainings on tailoring, embroidery and painting are also provided for the prisoners.