NCJ Number
27718
Date Published
1974
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE LIBRARIAN OUTREACH TO INMATES PROGRAM AT THE MARYLAND STATE PENITENTIARY OFFERS BOOKS, FILMS, LAW AND REFERENCE MATERIALS, TALKING BOOKS, A BOOK-BY-MAIL SERVICE, A BASIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, AND RECREATIONAL GAMES.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THREE MAIN LIBRARIES PLUS A LAW LIBRARY. THE LIBRARY FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION SERVES ABOUT 600 OF THE INSTITUTION'S 1,300 INMATES WHO ARE PERMITTED THE FREEDOM OF THE INSTITUTION. FROM JULY 3, 1973, TO JANUARY 3, 1974, ABOUT 1,400 HARDBACKS COSTING APPROXIMATELY $5,600 WERE PURCHASED FOR THIS LIBRARY, AS WELL AS 900 PAPERBACKS COSTING $800 AND 50 MUSICAL RECORDINGS TOTALING $300. THE DIAGNOSTIC AREA OF THE INSTITUTION ALSO HAS A LIBRARY, WHICH SERVES ABOUT 400 INMATES AND HAS A COLLECTION OF NEWSPAPERS, VARIOUS GAMES SUCH AS CHESS, CHECKERS, ETC., AND 500 PAPERBACKS. THE SOUTH-WING POPULATION WILL HAVE A LIBRARY WITH A COLLECTION OF 500 PAPERBACKS AS SOON AS THE FACILITY IS REMODELED. THE LAW LIBRARY, SITUATED IN A SEPARATE ROOM NEXT TO THE GENERAL LIBRARY, SITUATED IN A SEPARATE ROOM NEXT TO THE GENERAL LIBRARY, IS ONE OF THE BEST LAW LIBRARIES IN A MARYLAND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. OTHER SERVICES OFFERED BY OUTREACH INCLUDE A REFERENCE SERVICE, WHICH HANDLES ABOUT 70-80 QUESTIONS A MONTH; BOOKS-BY-MAIL, A SERVICE FROM THE PRATT LIBRARY IN BALTIMORE, WHICH PROVIDES BOOKS UNAVAILABLE IN THE INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARY; FILM PROGRAMS, SHOWN TO 21 PERSONS EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON; AND TALKING BOOKS, FOR HANDICAPPED INMATES. ANOTHER WELL-RECEIVED PROGRAM IS THE ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM, BEGUN IN JULY 1973. INMATES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM ARE PAID 50 CENTS A DAY TO LEARN TO READ. MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OUTREACH TO INMATES PROGRAM ARE ANTICIPATED. (PRG)