IBBY-Yamada 2025: Lebanon

IBBY Lebanon
Establishing a Juvenile Detention Center Library

Amidst Lebanon’s severe economic crisis and deteriorating prison conditions, this project established a dedicated library within a new juvenile detention facility in Roumieh. Targeting inmates aged 11 to 18, the initiative aimed to provide a safe space for literacy, self-reflection, and rehabilitation in an environment often marked by overcrowding and inadequate educational resources. Supported by the IBBY-Yamada Fund, the Lebanese Board on Books for Young People (LBBY) collaborated with UNODC, UNESCO, and Book Aid International to transform a secure area into a functional learning hub, offering hope and humanity to young offenders.

The implementation involved the installation of five securely attached bookshelves, four tables, and 25 chairs, designed by SPAZI to meet strict safety and durability protocols. The library was stocked with 1,100 books, comprising 1,000 donated titles from Book Aid International and 100 newly purchased Arabic books to ensure cultural and linguistic relevance. Despite challenges posed by hyperinflation and regional instability, the project successfully navigated logistical hurdles through strategic partnerships and prioritised local procurement. Social workers and security personnel also received guidance on managing the facility to maximise its educational impact.

Since its opening, the library has become a vital resource for juvenile inmates, fostering increased literacy and engagement in educational activities. The space offers a rare opportunity for young prisoners to dream, learn, and prepare for societal reintegration, countering the cycle of reoffending. By providing access to diverse genres and educational materials, the project has demonstrated the transformative power of books in even the most restrictive environments. This initiative lays a foundational model for rehabilitative justice in Lebanon, proving that access to literature is a fundamental right that persists behind bars.