The Prison Libraries Group, the smallest within the Library Association, has worked closely for many years with Her Majesty’s Prison Service and, despite financial constraints on both public libraries and penal establishments, has done much to improve the quality of service and raise the profile of prison libraries as essential to the well‐being of inmates. These guidelines are designed to accompany and complement the major report on prison library operations : “Prison libraries : roles and responsibilities”, 1992. They provide a comprehensive source of reference for professional librarians, governors, education coordinators, prison library officers and orderlies involved with provision of this specialised service.
Although the references are to all HM Prison Service establishments in England and Wales, most recommendations are generally applicable to libraries in military prisons, and those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The revision of the previous guidelines (1981), was prompted by the expansion of books and information, new media, new formats, new technology and the sheer volume of output, coupled with an expansion of the prison population. HM Prison Service Operating Standards (Section U25), now entitle all prisoners to a minimum of twenty minutes per week access to a prison library, and prisons are placing more emphasis on positive regimes and the value of education.
The reorganisation of local government has produced new authorities with public library powers and little experience of running a public library service, let alone a prison library service, and these are joined by prisons operated by private sector organisations, seeking help in establishing efficiency, quality, planning, monitoring and evaluation.
All penal establishments are now resourced to provide on‐site professional librarians in accordance with the 1981 Guidelines. Most are part‐time,employed by the local public library authority, with salary costs met by the prison service. Online links to local library services have improved supply of materials, and offline links help greatly in stock control.
The book aims, not to provide standards to be rigidly adhered to, but guidelines to be adapted to prevailing local situations. The process of devolved responsibilities means that individuals need more guidance and flexibility, advice and assistance, to meet the needs of individuals as well as groups. The service level agreement process and aspects of censorship are also covered in the guidelines.
Individual chapters cover: the nature of the service required; provision of library materials; promotion of library services; staffing; accommodation; finance and management. Appendices include: operating standards; community information; race relations; censorship; induction and key tasks for the professional librarian; key tasks and training programme checklists for the library orderly and the prison library officer; library size and provision of certain publications which should be held.
The Guidelines will help public library authorities and prison services setting up or continuing to provide services, librarians in prisons and/or those about to work in prisons to establish and continue a service that supports the education and well‐being of prisoners and enables them to leave prison better able to take part in society.
