Sadiq Kahn confirms Labour will overturn “ludicrous” prison book ban

Chris Grayling has been taking plenty of heat from opponents and many on his own benches this week over his ban on prisoners receiving books in prison. Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Kahn will ramp up the pressure on Grayling tomorrow, saying he’ll get rid of the “ludicrous” ban if Labour is elected in 2015. Kahn is expected to say:

“Putting obstacles in the way of prisoners being able to read books is ludicrous…

“Educational levels in prisons are a national disgrace — 40 per cent of those behind bars have the reading age of an 11-year-old.”

Other items that Grayling has banned prisoners from receiving include birthday cards and underwear…