"The Ballad of Reading Prison" is the last poetic work of Oscar Wilde, which was written in 1897, when he was already on the verge of physical and mental health. In this profound poem, the author highlights the brutality of the prison system and reflects on the concept of faith, sin and redemption. The poetic language is permeated with pain, compassion and philosophical reflections on justice and humanism. In his "Ballad", Wilde expresses a protest against the cruelty and injustice that exist in the penal system. This tragic poem leaves the reader with profound reflections on the nature of human destiny, justice, and the eternal questions of punishment and repentance. "The Ballad of Reading Prison" is not only a literary masterpiece, but also a separate act of protest against injustice, which continues beyond the confines of the death cell.