NCJ Number
45884
Journal
Wilson Library Bulletin Volume: 51 Issue: 6 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1977) Pages: 506-509
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
RESTRICTED INMATE ACCESS TO THE SOLEDAD, CAL., PRISON LIBRARY DURING 1973 TO DETER FURTHER VIOLENCE LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM WHICH MEETS INMATE READING NEEDS OF THE WINGS.
Abstract
A NUMBER OF TRUSTEES ESTABLISHED AN INMATE LIBRARY COMMITTEE (ILC) WHICH VISUALIZED A SERIES OF MINILIBRARIES IN EACH HOUSING UNIT TO PROVIDE PAPERBACKS, HARDBACKS, AND REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR RESIDENTS. FOLLOWING MEETINGS WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY AND APPROVAL OF FUNDING, LIBRARIES WERE ESTABLISHED IN EACH OF THE PRISON'S SEVEN WINGS. EACH WING LIBRARY CONTAINS ABOUT 1,300 BOOKS, SHELVING, AND A READING TABLE AND CHAIRS. WING LIBRARIANS CAN ALSO PROCESS INMATE REQUESTS FOR BOOKS FOUND IN THE CENTRAL LIBRARY. THE LIBRARIES ALSO FUNCTION AS A MEETING PLACE AND FORUM FOR WING RESIDENTS. MEMBERS OF THE ILC ARE ELECTED BY THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THE GROUP MEETS MONTHLY AND IS COMPOSED OF A CHAIRMAN, STATISTICIAN, REENTRY COORDINATOR, AND SEVEN WING REPRESENTATIVES. THE WING REPRESENTATIVES ARE ASSIGNED ON A FULL-TIME UNPAID BASIS TO THE WING LIBRARY AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LIBRARY MAINTENANCE AND SPECIAL REQUESTS. THE LIBRARIES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ACCEPT DONATED BOOKS, AND RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON THE ACQUISITION OF SOFT-CORE PORNOGRAPHIC, POLITICAL, ALTERNATE LIFESTYLE, AND DRUG-RELATED WRITINGS HAVE BEEN A CAUSE OF SOME INMATE DISSATISFACTION. ANOTHER MAJOR POINT OF CONTENTION HAS BEEN THE ADMINISTRATION'S REFUSAL TO PERMIT THE PURCHASE OF GENERAL INTEREST MAGAZINES WHICH COULD PROVIDE INMATES WITH A GOOD SOURCE OF CURRENT INFORMATION AT MINIMAL COST. NO REASON FOR THIS REFUSAL HAS BEEN GIVEN. CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT OF INMATES AMONG CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS HAS RESULTED IN RAPID TURNOVER OF WING LIBRARIANS AND ATTENDENT PROBLEMS. THE ILC HAS ALSO PUBLISHED A NUMBER OF BOOKLETS TO AID INMATES UPON THEIR RELEASE. TWO SURVIVAL MANUALS LIST LOCATIONS AND ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS OF HALFWAY HOUSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES WHICH PROVIDE SPECIAL SERVICES FOR PAROLEES, INCLUDING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, EMPLOYMENT, CRISIS COUNSELING, AND ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT. THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM IS EVIDENCED IN THE HIGH RATES OF LIBRARY USE BY INMATES AND THE PLEASURE EXPRESSED BY INMATES IN HAVING THEIR READING NEEDS MET. (JAP)