Prison library

<p>The term prison library refers to libraries that provide educational, legal, recreational and other resources in correctional facilities throughout the globe. While their services are primarily oriented toward inmates, they may also serve other members of the prison community, such as the inmates' families and prison staff.  Key differences that set a prison library apart from other types of library, such as public or academic, include the level of access to qualified library staff, skills required as a prison library worker, the level of censorship, reduced privacy, limited or no internet access and the goals of collections and library programming. The quality and nature of a prison library can vary based on the country, state, city, and individual institution. Prison libraries are often managed by a trained librarian, educator, clergy or prison personnel, but in some cases a single librarian may oversee the libraries of multiple institutions at once. Inmates may also work in prison libraries.
</p><p>In the United States, reading materials are provided in almost all federal and state correctional facilities. Libraries in federal prisons are controlled by the <a href="/facts/Federal_Bureau_of_Prisons/fKVlmn6V">Federal Bureau of Prisons</a>, <a href="/facts/U.S._Department_of_Justice/2SuTuevo">U.S. Department of Justice</a>. 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.
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Prison library open-in-new

Prison library