A week-long book fair is being held at Tilanqiao Prison in Yangpu District as part of a series of activities called "Prison Culture."
Around 20,000 books on more than 80 subjects are on display at the fair for inmates, which opened on Tuesday.
Shi Zhijian, a prison official, estimated that attendance to the exhibition will total about 2,000.
"So far about 3,200 books worth more than 50,000 yuan (US$6,024) have been sold," he said.
Books on psychology and techniques, such as cooking and cloth-making, are the most popular with the inmates. "Some are preparing to return to society and want a good beginning to their new life," Shi explained.
An Anhui Province native in jail for drug crimes said he wan-ted English reference books as he planned to sit for the Listening Test of University Entrance Examination next September.
"I hope to pass the College English Test Band 4 and 6 in the next six years," said the inmate.
This year has been classified as "Focus Year" by the local prison authority, during which various measures will be taken to re-educate inmates across the city, with cultural education playing an important part in it.
In Tilanqiao for instance, "New Shore Study Newspaper," a monthly newspaper began publication in April. Two months ago an exhibition of artworks, including oils, sculptures and calligraphy created by Tilanqiao prisoners, was held at Sanshan Guild Hall in Huangpu District.