Implementation of the New Prison Library Specification

Key Findings

• Overall, interviewees did not identify, or foresee, many major difficulties with the new specification and its implementation.
• It was apparent that the prison regime could potentially present a stumbling block. The main issues here involved the difficulties associated with the prison facilitating offenders’ access to the library to the specified extent (e.g. providing prison officer escorts).
• In addition, security constraints could affect the length of time to get new staff in post and also the provision of certain services, especially ICT and internet access.
• Whilst some interviewees welcomed the enhanced responsibilities afforded to librarians, others were concerned about the possible impact of an increased educational role. As well as clarifying precisely the expectations of library staff, the offer of additional training may help address some of the reservations expressed.
• The particular circumstances of the prison library were felt to affect the degree to which the specification could be implemented e.g. opening hours would need to reflect the regime of the prison. Thus, it was felt that prison libraries should perhaps be allowed to tailor the specification more to suit their particular context, rather than assuming a blanket approach is appropriate for all.

Related Titles

Implementation of the new prison library specification , Implementation of the new prison library specification , world apart? Evaluation of family learning programmes in prison , implementation of OLASS

Sponsor Details

DfES