The initiative is a part of culture night.
Irish Prisons are set to be gifted a number of books as part of Culture Night.
The Arts Council is launching the initiative, which will see 30 book titles from some of Ireland's most well-known authors.
As part of the scheme, Author Pat Sheedy will hand out copies and read excerpts of his book 'A Hundred to One' in Portlaoise Prison.
The list of books were selected in consultation with teaching staff from the Prison Service, and will offer a diverse selection of novels, short stories and poetry.
The move aims to ensure the "Culture Night experience continues to include those who cannot otherwise participate."
In a statement to Midlands 103, Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, said: "I am thrilled that the Arts Council is collaborating with the Irish Prison Service for this year’s instalment of the Read Mór initiative, spanning 13 prisons in Ireland.
We know that access to literature can be a powerful tool for personal growth.
By fostering a love for reading, we aim to empower prisoners with the knowledge and inspiration that can open new paths in their lives.
This programme underscores our commitment to making the arts accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances."
Caron McCaffrey, Director General of the Irish Prison Service, said: “Reading has always been a popular pastime in prisons. For those with poor literacy skills it can also be a challenge, but our education units do incredible work to enable those in our care to begin to enjoy reading.
This brilliant partnership with the Arts Council is yet another chapter in their story, as they will have access to a catalogue of new books from which to choose from so they too can take part in Culture night.”
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