NCJ Number
11440
Date Published
1973
Length
20 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS TO AID IN PROVIDING INMATES WITH SATISFACTORY LEGAL REFERENCE SERVICE.
Abstract
RECENT FEDERAL COURT DECISIONS ARE MAKING IT OBLIGATORY FOR DEPARTMENTS OF CORRECTION TO PROVIDE ALL INMATES WITH ACCESS TO THE COURTS, INCLUDING BOTH LEGAL COUNSEL AND LAW BOOKS. THE PROVISION OF LEGAL REFERENCE SERVICE AS A COURT REQUIREMENT IS A NEW AND DEVELOPING AREA. THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LAW LIBRARIES STANDING COMMITTEE ON LAW LIBRARY SERVICE TO PRISONERS HAS COOPERATED TO PRODUCE THESE GUIDELINES FOR USE BY CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS IN CREATING SATISFACTORY INSTITUTIONAL LAW LIBRARIES AND PROVIDING INMATES ADEQUATE LEGAL REFERENCE MATERIALS. PLANNING PRINCIPLES ARE ESTABLISHED FOR THE LOCATION, FACILITIES, AND SPACE REQUIREMENTS OF A PRISON LAW LIBRARY, AND FOR ITS HOURS AND METHOD OF OPERATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE LIBRARY BE SUPERVISED BY A PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIAN WITH SPECIAL TRAINING IN AUDIOVISUAL AND LEGAL REFERENCE SERVICE, AND THAT STAFFING BE AIDED BY MAXIMUM USE OF PARAPROFESSIONALS - CIVILIANS, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, VOLUNTEERS AND INMATE AIDES. APPENDIX A PROVIDES TWO LISTS OF BOOKS RECOMMENDED FOR PRISON LAW LIBRARIES. LIST ONE CONTAINS BOOKS WHICH FULFILL THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR LEGAL RESEARCH, LIST TWO IS AN EXPANDED LIST FOR A MORE COMPLETE PRISONER LAW LIBRARY WHICH SHOULD SUFFICE FOR MOST RESEARCH BY PRISONERS. A LIST BY STATE OF THE LARGE LAW LIBRARIES WHICH WILL GIVE SERVICE TO INMATES IS CONTAINED IN APPENDIX B, DESCRIBING KINDS OF SERVICE - PHOTOCOPYING, INTERLIBRARY LOANS, AND REFERENCE SERVICE - AND COSTS TO USERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)