Supporting humane corrections through the provision of books, libraries and reading

One powerful tool available to correctional facilities to affirm and protect the humanity of the people in their care are facility libraries and the books, reading and learning opportunities enabled through those libraries. Rule 64 of the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ states that every person deprived of liberty in our correctional institutions must have access to a well-stocked library and be encouraged to use it. This recognises the value of books, libraries and reading to people deprived of liberty. In this presentation, the results of several research projects, each designed to explore and understand the role of books, libraries and reading in the lives of people deprived of liberty will be presented. The capacity for books, libraries and reading to support the humanity and dignity of persons deprived of liberty will be demonstrated across five domains: imagining a different future, maintaining and building connection with family and others, taking responsibility for the self, reducing institutionalisation, and keeping a foot in the outside world. Although the provision of books, libraries and reading is mandated through the Mandela Rules, the practical requirements to do so are often challenging for correctional facilities. Examples of innovative practices, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region will be described to inform and inspire attendees. The presentation concludes with an introduction to the recently published International Library and Information Associations and Institutions Guidelines for Library Services to Prisoners, co-edited by the presenter, and written to support correctional institutions in their provision of library services to the people in their care.