Images of heavily tattooed inmates engrossed in romantic fantasy novels have captivated the Australian public, after the state's correctional service shared surprising data on reading habits behind bars.
From Dragon Riders to Fae Realms: The Books Dominating Prison Libraries
The New South Wales Corrections Services (CSNSW) posted photographs on Facebook this week showing male prisoners reading titles from the wildly popular 'romantasy' genre. This hybrid category, blending romance and fantasy, has seen a huge surge in requests from inmates throughout 2025, firmly establishing it as the most borrowed genre across the state's prisons.
The service specifically named global bestsellers like Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series, which follows the lives of lustful dragon riders, and Sarah J. Maas's two major franchises: Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses. Maas's books typically feature young women navigating love and power in intricate worlds dominated by magical fae creatures.
A Welcome Escape and a Tool for Change
In a playful caption accompanying the photos, CSNSW acknowledged the contrast between the inmates' rugged appearances and their choice of literature. "When it comes to escaping through books, this is the only kind of breakout we allow," the post stated, celebrating the power of reading for literacy, learning, and rehabilitation.
The post also revealed the most borrowed classic titles within the prison system, which included Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and The Hobbit.
Public and Personal Reactions to the Reading Revelation
The response from Australians online has been overwhelmingly positive. Former NRL player and reality TV personality Luke Bateman, known for his own love of fantasy genres, commented that it was "incredible to see." NSW Corrections engaged with the public, inviting book recommendations for inmates and even joking about hosting prison book clubs for aspiring authors.
One Australian shared a powerful personal testimony, writing about their two decades spent incarcerated: "The first book I ever read from start to finish was in prison... Reading in prison and outside is good for your mind. It's an escape. (It) also helps you sleep." This sentiment underscores the broader rehabilitative role that access to engaging literature can play within the correctional system.
