Prison library
Prison libraries are provided in many prisons. Reading materials and information are provided in almost all federal and state correctional facilities in the United States. Libraries in federal prisons are controlled by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice. State prison libraries are controlled by each state's own department of corrections. Many local jails also provide library services through partnerships with local public libraries and community organizations. These resources may be limited, mostly provided through government sources.
Role
Prison Libraries serve both prisoners and the public by helping to educate prisoners, reduce recidivism, and improve family bonds through reading.According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there were 1,505,400 Federal and State Prisoners in the United States. The United States incarcerates more people than any other nation in the developed world. Research shows a correlation between education and reduced recidivism, and libraries play an important role in supporting education. In fact, in some states, “prisoners are sentenced to a literature discussion group in lieu of prison time. In 1991 the first CLTL group in Massachusetts saw a 19 percent recidivism rate as compared to 42 percent in a control group.” Education allows inmates to obtain the skills they need to transition back into society once they are released and libraries can play in an important role in helping inmates learn these skills. Some programs prison libraries offer include, GED instruction, literacy classes, life skills classes, typing instruction, and classes on how to use a library.
In addition to educational opportunities, prison libraries help prisoners have positive and meaningful contact with family. For example, the Jessup Correctional Institute in Maryland started a program that provided books for prisoners to read to their children or grandchildren on visiting days. Other prison libraries have programs in which prisoners are recorded reading stories, and the tapes and books, along with a coloring book and crayons, are sent to their child. Some inmates try to read the same materials their children are reading, so they have something to talk about with them.
Prison libraries provide a space for inmates to meet with others with common interests. Though funding is limited, some prison librarians are diligent in providing programming. Such programs include, book clubs and community service projects. Many inmates utilize the library as a means of escape from the reality of their current situations. One of the many services provided by a prison librarian is to have conversation with the inmates regarding the reasons they are in their current situation, After which, the librarian will make catalog suggestions to the inmate that will give them guidance in future decision making.
Challenges
Funding and space are two major challenges for prison libraries Prison libraries are on the low end of budget priorities for prisons. It is difficult to provide up-to-date information and classes with a limited budget and space. Associated with limited budgets are time constraints. Some prison library staff feel they do not have the time to complete all of the tasks they need to because prison libraries are under-staffed. Interestingly, recent technological developments such as the choice to transition to tablet-based has led to prison elimination of law libraries in South Dakota and has threatened to end book donations to prisoners and their libraries in favor of charging prisoners for books available in e-book format. Other challenges include security risks. Some librarians feel like they are guards and other libraries are monitored by correctional officers. Finally, some libraries have to deal with damage and theft of items.An interesting challenge in the development of prison libraries in the US came about in the Steven Hayes case, where library collection policies, and patron came into question. It was suspected that Hayes’ reading choices in his former prison “fueled his crimes.” The prosecution in his case wanted to see Hayes’ reading lists after he was convicted of the murder, kidnapping and sexual assault of members of the Petit family. This issue is contentious because according to normal library policies, patron privacy is a very serious matter, and the question of whether it changes within a prison library was highly debated. Conrad does not mention that any real rulings and/or concrete decisions have been reached as there are strong arguments both for maintaining prisoners’ privacy, as with any other patron, and there are arguments for that privacy to be made available to ensure that there is no danger to the prisoner, prison population or general public.
Censorship is another major challenge reported by prison libraries. The Federal Bureau of Prisons regulations state that publication can only be rejected if they are found to be “detrimental to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution or if it might facilitate criminal activity.” However, prisons censor materials far beyond these guidelines. Restrictions on the content of materials in prison libraries are imposed by prison authorities such as wardens, administrators, and security personnel, resulting in the infringement on prisoner's right to read. “Both formal and informal processes of censorship occur in the prison, and there is significant variation in which materials are censored from one institution to the next.”
International institutions
United States
America has had prison libraries since 1790. The first state prison library was established in 1802. At the beginning of the 19th century prisons were usually operated by the clergy. The purpose of the library was to increase religious devotion and modify behaviour. In many prisons during this time period the library collection consisted only of the Bible and sometimes prayer books. According to Lehmann, “The main purpose of reading was believed to be strengthening of character, religious devotion, and what we today would call behavior modification. By the mid-nineteenth century, penology had become more scientific, and criminologists claimed that they knew the reasons for criminal behavior and, consequently, how to reform criminals.”In 1870, during the Progressive Period and Prison Reform Movement, the Prison Congress began calling for rehabilitation of convicts instead of retribution, and education and rewards for good behaviour. The library was seen as an incentive and only contained items which furthered the reformative goals of the prison. The first manual for prison libraries was published by the ALA in 1915.
During the Depression prison libraries were expanded. With a decline in industrial demands prisoners became idle and restless and libraries were seen as a way to occupy them. In 1930, a manual for prison libraries was published by the American Correctional Association. The library was believed to be wholesome recreation, which also supported education and mental health, and there was great growth in federal prison libraries for the next four decades.
State correctional facilities began to see growth in prison libraries in the 1970s when the Library Services and Construction Act was authorized by Congress. In 1974, two Massachusetts cases - Wolf v. McDonnell and Stone v. Boone - mandated that prisons provide on-site libraries, which paved the way for Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817. Bounds v. Smith ruled that prisons were required to provide access to people trained in law or law library collections in order to meet the constitutional requirement of meaningful access to the courts. In 1996, Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, limited the requirement placed on correctional facilities. Following Lewis many libraries reduced their collections.
Lewis v. Casey ruled that prisoners do not have an absolute right to a law library. Rather an inmate must show that he was unable to pursue a legal claim because of the inadequacy of the law library. In other words, lack of an adequate law library caused the inmate actual injury. The ruling in Lewis makes it much more difficult to seek improvement to a prison's law library. As one court pointed out, the ability to litigate a claim of denial of access demonstrates that the inmate has no denial of access. However, some believe that Lewis is not as devastating as it appears to be and Bounds v. Smith still remains good law.
As of 2013 the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba has a library of some 18,000 books.
Canada
The first prison library in Canada was formed in the 19th century. In the 1980s, the Correctional Service of Canada commissioned two reports on institutional libraries throughout Canada, the analysis of which defined the role of prison libraries and made recommendations to support these roles. However, many of the challenges identified in these reports still exist, but many improvements were made until drastic budget and staffing cutbacks were made in 1994. While prison libraries are required to support all correctional programs, including education and access to legal and non-legal materials, they have not been spared budget cuts and are struggling to maintain existing programs. Often funds are spent on materials rather than staff.However, progress has been made on publishing standards, and most institutional libraries have a procedures manual. In addition, they have been able to establish a Regional Multi-Lingual Collection and a Regional Aboriginal Collection, in response to the diversity of people within the prison system. Finally, some progress has been made in getting library staff back and all new hires are required to be certified library technicians.
China, People's Republic of
In prisons dedicated towards common prisoners, the right to access reading material is guaranteed, conditional upon good behaviour, including satisfactory performance in duties assigned.. During the Cultural Revolution, however, camps operated by the Reform through labour program were not guaranteed reading materials beyond the works of Mao Zedong.England and Wales
Prisons are required by statute to have a library and permit all prisoners to access the library. Unlike most countries, prison libraries in England and Wales are required to staff a professional librarian and there are minimum staffing requirements. The vision of the prison libraries is to provide services similar to those of public libraries. CILIP's Prison Library Group actively supports prison libraries in England and Wales through promotion, policy, advice, continuing education, networking, advocacy, mentoring, publishing, and involvement. Between 2005 and 2008 prison libraries’ funding almost doubled. Prison libraries must meet required standards and are subject to inspection.France
France has had prison libraries since the mid-19th century. They were established primarily through prison funds or donations made by prisoners. Today, prison libraries are mandated by France's Criminal Procedure Code. However, according to Cramard, these libraries vary in size, location, inmate access time, etc. In addition, while all prisons are required to have a library there is no requirement for them to have a librarian and many have partnered with local public libraries to meet their needs."In order to introduce a larger audience to the institution libraries, the SPIP quickly took the initiative to develop a series of projects around books, literature, and writing." Projects include regularly scheduled workshops, such as writing skills classes, reading groups, reading workshops, and storytelling workshops, and one-time events, such as meetings with writers and illustrators and writing workshops. However, prison libraries are still a work-in-progress and the Prison Administration has declared that in 2008–2010 transforming prison libraries would be a priority.
Germany
Prison libraries have existed in Germany since the 19th century and were run by the clergy. The libraries contained religious materials from various denominations, which inmates were encouraged to read and discuss. In the 20th century prison libraries were run by teachers. However, it wasn't until professional librarians began operating inside prison libraries that they began to really develop. Unfortunately, not all German prison libraries employ a professional librarian. The purpose of the prison library is to provide recreation, support education, and help with the personal development of inmates. Every inmate has the right to access a library and most prisons have a library. However, the law makes no specifics about the organization or contents of the library. And, economic troubles and the closing of the German Library Institute and Commission for Special User Groups have made it difficult for libraries to provide adequate services and the social responsibility of libraries is rarely discussed. But, Münster Correctional Facility Library's winning of the German Library Award has drawn attention to prison libraries and inspired many to be advocates for library services to those with special needs.Italy
Prison libraries in Italy have been around since the beginning of the 20th century and were funded by donations. However, it wasn't until the 1970s, when Italy enacted a law to reform its prisons, did every prison become required to have a library. However, little in the law has changed since then, and libraries are operated by educators rather than professional librarians. There is quite a disparity between prison libraries in Italy, with some being very adequate and beautiful while others are barely operational, and still some prisons have no library at all.The prison administration is responsible for the operation of prison libraries, services are provided by the government or volunteer groups, and professional aspects are monitored by the university and the Italian Library Association. A new interest by the central prison administration will hopefully lead to positive changes in the prison library system. However, according to Costanzo & Montecchi, Italy's prison libraries are still in need of a central organization for direction, monitoring, and standards.
Japan
Japan prisons do not have librarians or a designated library space. Some reading materials are provided, but they are spread throughout the prison. There is essentially no control over these materials, there are no partnerships with public libraries, and Japanese inmates prefer to obtain their reading materials through purchase or from friends and family.Japanese law mandates that inmates have access to reading materials and there is much regulation as to what reading materials inmates may possess and inspection procedures. However, the only mention of a “prison library” is a provision requiring that the warden make reading materials available. There are also policies and procedures regulating these materials. Education staff, not librarians, manage these collections.