PRISON LIBRARIES
Importance and Challenges of Professional Library Services in Correctional Settings
Freedom on the Inside
May the Mind be Free
We roamed the moors of Yorkshire in Wuthering
Heights; we tramped the roads of Devon in Tess of
the d'Urbervilles; we attended school in early Iowa
in Hamlin Garland's Life on the Prairie; we suffered
with Abe's Mary Todd Lincoln in Love Is Eternal;
[…]; we explored the floor of the ocean in The Blue
of the Pacific; we quested religion in the pages of
the Bible and Koran and the ways of man in The
Works of Shakespeare. And we had thus, almost
almost literally, freedom in captivity. (Sutherland,
Freedom in Captivity, 1996)
Education & Rehabilitation
Research shows a positive connection between
participation in educational programs and reduced
recidivism. Unfortunately, not enough inmates show
interest in programs offered by their jail. They are
stuck in their ways of thinking and don’t see
education as important and helpful. Structured
programs that focus on changing the offender’s
attitude and beliefs are offered in many institutions.
However, programs are not always mandatory, and
inmates won’t participate unless he/she believes in
the ability to change. The library can work with
teachers and counselors to make sessions interesting
and obtain up-to-date information without straining
the budget too much. Librarians can expand the
library’s mission beyond literacy and recreational
reading. They can offer a welcoming atmosphere and
work on transforming the library into an exiting place
Aileen M. J. Marshall – amarshall@sc.edu
Abstract
The concept of libraries in detention centers is not a new one. In 1879, a group of
incarcerated offenders founded a library in a Utah penitentiary. Locked away and
disconnected from the world, inmates have a need for information, now more than ever.
Many countries still reject the idea of providing inmates free access to information and books
is still not widely accepted in today’s world. As education and rehabilitation become
increasingly important in our country's detention centers, libraries can become an integral Unique Challenges
part, providing materials to inmates and staff. Correctional libraries work in a unique
environment, which requires all staff to adhere to security standards. This often interferes
with professional beliefs and ethics and requires librarians to accept restrictions. Censorship & Access to Information
Censorship and restricted access to information is not
Partners on the Outside Librarians Behind Bars uncommon. There are many similarities to public libraries
Public and academic libraries can be of great You work where? Isn’t that dangerous? (i.e. collection development according to the community’s
value to prison libraries. Due to budget cuts Do you have a gun? Pepper spray? At needs), but correctional librarians must be prepared to
and the fact that the latter often cater more to least an alarm button? Why do you work accept certain restrictions. Probably the touchiest subject
recreational readers and GED students, with these people anyway … they won’t among prison librarians is censorship. Certain materials
academic and study materials are rare. change! –These are just a few things that pose a threat to security and are therefore banned from
Inmates who would like to take college classes jail librarians hear when they talk about the shelves. Publications promoting radical and militant
also can’t rely on online information as they do their job. And no matter how much viewpoints as well as true-crime books are usually not
not have access to the internet. Collaboration emphasis is put on education and added to the collection. Magazines are inspected, and any
between the prison and libraries “on the rehabilitation, they have to admit that pages displaying nudity or other sexually explicit content
outside” is beneficial for everybody who is security and maintaining control over the will be censored or ripped out. Censorship often happens
involved. Inmates experience that somebody inmate population is always first priority. arbitrarily as detention facilities have not yet adapted any
on the outside cares about him/her by offering In a setting that strives to balance public kind of guidelines regarding this issue.
an interlibrary loan program. The general safety and offender rehabilitation,
public can learn about their library’s successful librarians need to have the
partnership with a jail or prison. They can thus necessary qualifications in library
learn about inmate’s needs, their reality, and science, and the ability to work
Changing
how important it is toLives
educatethrough
offenders. effectively in the prison environment.
This includes following policies and
Literature procedures, treating every inmate the
Once the gates close, offenders become part
same way (firm, fair, and consistent),
of a disadvantaged sub-society which is often
maintaining control over the inmate
poor and powerless. The program “Changing
population at all times, and being able to
lives through Literature” (CLTL) was founded in
manage the entire library, sometimes just
Massachusetts as an alternative sentencing Cultural Diversity
with the help of inmate assistants who
program. It focuses on the power of literature Librarians have to cope with increasing
need constant supervision.
to transform lives through reading and group cultural diversity in detention facilities,
discussion. It allows offenders to stay out of jail which poses communication difficulties
You found what in a book?
but requires them to participate in this and cultural misunderstandings, i.e. male Additionally to their traditional duty of providing
program on a regular basis. They learn through offenders do not accept female staff as
meaningful information services, they are also obligated
the actions of fictional characters to identify authorities. Library collections and to control the inmate populations’ use and spreading of
thought patterns and how decisions can make programs have to be adapted to
contraband. The term contraband describes all items
or break lives. accommodate speakers of all cultures inmates are forbidden to acquire, possess and trade,
(http://cltl.umassd.edu/home-flash.cfm) and languages.
according to the facility’s policies and regulations.
Libraries are preferred places to hide and exchange
The Future of Prison Libraries contraband. Library supplies make excellent parts for
The key to providing meaningful library services to incarcerated offenders is
weapons and other items that might compromise the
acceptance and partnership. The public needs to understand that this type of service is security. Correctional librarians must be aware and
vital for people in jail or prison as they will eventually re-enter society and need to be
remain on alert while inmates visit the library. Failure to
prepared. Partnerships between libraries inside and outside of detention facilities can comply with security standards can result in disciplinary
partner to ensure a broader variety of reading and study material. To achieve these
actions or in staff members getting hurt.
goals, we need to foster the dialog between librarians and prison officials. Funny Fact: The most curious thing that has ever been