Libraries behind bars: Strategies for information literacy and social reintegration in correctional facilities

Abstract

Purpose

This study highlights the importance of prison libraries, the need to investigate them, and the impact of literacy programs on society.

Methodology

A documentary research approach was used, with searches in RCAAP, Web of Science, LISA, and Scopus, detailing terms, dates, and results.

State of art

The literature review covers inmate profiles, social reintegration, principles of prison libraries, their benefits for literacy, and challenges faced.

Conclusion

The study reflects on current limitations and user needs, concluding that despite challenges, prison libraries hold significant potential for supporting reintegration.

Introduction

The objective of the present literature review is to analyse the valences and obstacles faced by libraries in the incarceration context, specifically the role of reading and literacy, while highlighting inmates’ perspectives and needs. Silva (2012: p. 14) underlines the disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds of most prisoners, their proximity to criminality, and limited educational support. Such contexts lack incentives for social mobility, so citizens who overcome them through self-discipline and pursue education redefine meritocracy, often excluded from marginalised populations. Lehmann and Locke (2015: p. 7) report low literacy levels among inmates and note that many had never attended a library before imprisonment. According to Lehmann (2000), US prison libraries primarily provide legal and commercial resources. However, the researcher stresses the need to support education and emphasises that prison libraries are more frequented than public ones.

Rocha et al. (2008: p. 122) incite reflection on punishment, its effectiveness, and the forms of inner change it might trigger. They propose two guiding principles: responsibility… and social inclusion. Punishments that deprive individuals of their freedom should follow two principles: the principle of responsibility – a principle that emphasizes the proactive role of the inmate and collaboration on many subjects of interest (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 123, 2008: p. 171); and the principle of social inclusion, which advocates for a life in imprisonment that reflects, as much as possible, the regular life outside the walls of incarceration and also the role that society plays on this end (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 123).

Resocialisation not only offers inmates a second chance but benefits society by reducing crime, equipping offenders with employability skills, promoting financial independence, encouraging acceptance, combating discrimination, fostering resilience, and ultimately restoring dignity and civic sense. The citizen is but a fraction of society. If individuals contribute to its betterment, should not society collectively aid their recovery?

Information Science examines inmates’ informational needs, as public libraries assess those of their users, by responding to interests, overcoming obstacles, and adapting to the penal context. Sansonoviz (2017: p. 11) denounces the insufficient research focused on prison libraries and their impact on society.

Foucalt (1987) lists seven values to ensure dignified incarceration: the transformative purpose of the penalty; prisoner distribution by crime severity, age, and other factors; individualised sentence assessment; work as a socialising, enriching strategy; education as a right and duty; qualified prison staff; and finally, and continuous monitoring– the monitorization should not end cease with the end of the imprisonment, but should be extended to their stabilization, through control measure, assistance, and support.

Humanization accompanies the process of civilization and social evolution and is reflected on the way the convicted population is treated. This growing awareness is visible on the transition of the concept of penalty – penalty no longer merely with the goal of punishing, but also with the scope of regenerating, adopting procedures that enable the offender to execute his penalty in (conditioned) freedom. According to Dilek-Kayaoglu and Demir (2014: p. 137), it is for this regenerative purpose that the prison library assumes a pivotal role.

In 1955, the UN established the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (SMRs). With growing awareness of minorities, revisions followed, and in 2015, the UN and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODOC) (The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, 2015) created the “Nelson Mandela Rules”. These guidelines, though non-binding, allow states to evaluate the constitutionality of their practices.

Penalty must correlate with the offence and neutralise threats to public order. Alone, this function merely intimidates and re-educates (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 244). Despite progress, disparities remain significant. Research abounds, but inmates’ perspectives and actual use of resources are underexplored (Finlay and Bates, 2018: p. 120). Sousa et al. (2020: p. 27) note differences between countries: Denmark, Norway, and England provide high-quality services through public investment, human rights partnerships, cooperation with public libraries, and professionalisation of prison staff. By contrast, conditions in underdeveloped nations are far more precarious.

Methodology

The scope of this study was to analyze the role of prison libraries, to understand the role of literacy and reading promotion within the prison library context, and to assess inmates’ literacy needs, in order to answer the research question: What is the role of the prison library and the literacies it provides in the social reintegration of inmates?

The method applied was documentary research with several databases, such as RCAAP, Scopus, Web of Science, and LISA serving as the sources of information.

In the first stage of the research process, a search was conducted on 18/02/2023, using the terms “acesso” and “informação” and “prisões” in “Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto” (RCAAP) – the search resulted in 6 publications, 2 of which were considered relevant to the study. Another search was carried out on 24/02/2023, using the terms “management” and “libraries” and “prison”, in Scopus – this search originated 27 publications, of which only 4 were selected. A different combination of terms was used: “administration” and “prison library” – resulting in 7 publications, 6 of which were chosen for analysis.

In the second stage of information recovery, the Web of Science database was accessed on 25/09/2023 using the term “prison library” – of this search, 8 publications were selected from the 52 results. The terms “reading promotion” and “prison” were searched in the LISA database, focusing on publications from the last 10 years, resulting in 18 publications, of which 10 were found important to the current research.

Literature review

Drawing on documentary research, this chapter develops a series of interrelated sections that provide the conceptual basis for the literature review. These sections examine the profile of inmates and contemporary issues surrounding incarceration, outline the principles underpinning prison libraries and the benefits of their presence, and discuss their contribution to social reintegration. They also explore reintegration specifically through the library, the central role of reading, and the processes of learning within the prison context. Finally, attention is given to the obstacles that hinder such initiatives and to the range of activities offered, highlighting both challenges and opportunities within this field.

The inmates

Research contributes to the illustration of this growing population - prior to incarceration, most individuals lived alone (79.66%) and had not started a family; 14.1% belong to a fragmented family and in the female population, only 17.6% enjoy marital life (Rocha et al., 2008: pp. 22–23). In Portugal, drug trafficking is the main cause of male imprisonment (36.6%), followed by simple and aggravated theft (24.3%) and only 8% for serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, and robbery. The female population reflects a difference in crime rate and type – – drug trafficking dominates (70.6%), with aggravated fraud (17.6%) and simple or aggravated theft (11.8%) far less common (Rocha et al., 2008: pp. 25–26). This community emerges from social and economic disadvantage, unstable homes, and is characterised by low literacy and precarious employment. These conditions lead to integration struggles, behavioural issues, and limited self-esteem and confidence, shaping prison trajectories (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 57). On education, the literature is clear – illiteracy and low literacy are evident, especially among women (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 70). Of the main age group (30–49 years) 60% had only basic schooling, 4% higher education, and 14% were profoundly illiterate (Sequeiros, 2018: p. 114). Such insufficient education hinders interpretation of norms and laws (Rocha et al., 2008: pp. 18–20). Turkey shares this profile with Portugal: half of convicts had only basic education (51.32%), 29.25% high school, 4.18% were illiterate and 2.73% had higher education (Dilek-Kayaoglu and Demir, 2014: p. 133). These attributes define the typical inmate – single, adult, poorly educated, professionally unstable, and underqualified (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 54). Such frailties create limited opportunities and many obstacles, pushing people towards criminality and reinforcing stereotypes (Rocha et al., 2008: pp. 21–22, 2008, p. 35).

Social network has proven to be one of the strongest motivations and influences over the personal choices shaping reintegration success – this influence may be positive and regenerating or conducive to crime. Strengthening bonds that shelter and motivate the offender is vital, particularly in moments of hesitation, insecurity, or when barriers arise. Rocha et al. (2005: p. 288) define social network as the “community support for the individual” and defend reintegration as relying on recognising the individual as an active community member, part of society, and occupying a role among peers. Social network thus plays a key role in socialisation, reconstructing inmate identity, developing new skills, and adapting to new situations.

Family is described by Rocha et al. (2005: p. 116) entity diffusing norms and conduct. This proximity results from genetic inheritance and the responsibilities entrusted to earlier generations regarding younger ones. Refuting earlier research, recent literature has disproven the stigma that single-parent families strongly influence criminal behaviour. More influential causes are family disunity, parental disinterest, promiscuity, substance abuse, and delinquency (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 119). Social network self-esteem, individuality, preparation for life, responsibility, productivity, affective bonds, and values. Two types of family exist – origin and procreation. The first provides support and refuge; the second also provides support but may cause anxiety, as it depends more on the offender and holds greater expectations. Friends often take a stronger role for inmates without a family of procreation (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 294). Social assistance support and the need for (re)education are central during incarceration and once the prisoner returns to society. This group is socially vulnerable, perceived as violent, and faces greater obstacles in life opportunities. The reality of released inmates illustrates the hardships of reintegration.

Nowadays

Four principles of penitentiary law guide the norms, by which the prison structure is established: the principle of legality, the principle of presumption of innocence, the principle of social reintegration, and the principle of humanity – the last two principles being particularly relevant to this literature review (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 21). The principle of humanity is intrinsically connected to the concept of social reintegration, and it upholds an improvement in the quality of the conditions under which the inmates live, which comprehends fundamental human rights and the moderate and reasonable use of penalties since the Government is the ultimate responsible for keeping the civil and humanitarian conditions of the prison grounds (Rocha et al., 2005: pp. 25–26). We may infer that the principle of humanity intends to regulate the space in which detention is carried out, keeping in mind that even though necessary, sanctions ought to be kept to a minimum and without losing sight of its rehabilitative purpose. Criminal recidivism – reintegration’s nemesis – is an undeniable risk and reality that requires preventive strategies, to secure society’s safety. Recidivism isn´t random – some factors leave some individuals more susceptible to falling into criminality once more, such as age (up to 30 years) and severe incarceration. Strategies that rely on opening prison facilities to society are recommended by Rocha et al. (2005: p. 97). Rocha et al. (2005, p. 218) alert vehemently to the instability faced by convicts’ mental health and point out the necessity for medical professional support on this matter.

The principles of prison libraries

The library can occupy a central role in structured programs conceived for reintegration, through a collection focused on education, recreation, and rehabilitation, through an appealing space and qualified professionals (Lehmann and Locke, 2015: p. 7).

Free access to library grounds is the fundamental library principle, regardless of the localization or security classification of the facility (except for inmates who have additional restrictions caused by rules’ infractions) – they should be permitted to frequent the library and its resources and engage in cultural activities. Prisoners limited to hospital facilities, solitary confinement, or other restrictions must be able to access the library’s catalog and purchase materials (Lehmann and Locke, 2015: p. 9).

A prison library should operate on the same norms and professional patterns as the public library (Lehmann, 2000) – attempting to attend to its users’ needs and interests; taking the community’s multicultural and multilingual needs into account; being managed by an equipped professional; being freely accessed; offering rehabilitation programs; and supplying a diversity of activities that foment literacy and reading.

It is recommended that the library itself is a specific and separate space from the rest of the prison facility, with proper furniture and conditions to house the available resources; a reference desk; a room for technical processing, computer, and technological resources; and it ought to be able to accommodate, at least, 5% of the total population (Lehmann and Locke, 2015: p. 10).

Management policies ought to take into account the diversity of the population it is meant to serve – ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity; age; literacy and reading level; effectiveness of resources in the reintegration process; availability of rehabilitation programs (addiction treatments, therapy, parenthood support, mentorship); collection management policies, and ideally, the library would integrate the interlibrary loans (Lehmann and Locke, 2015: p. 9, 2015, p. 14). Sansonoviz (2017: p. 12) adds the democratic value that constitutes the library, by promoting and demanding equality, fighting against discrimination (racial, gender, religious, origin, ethnic, linguistic, or other), and providing its services to anyone who needs them, including people with specific physical or psychological/cognitive needs, hospitalized individuals or inmates.

In regard to prison library administration, it should follow relevant and updated policies and norms, established by prison authorities. Norms should encompass the space organization, protocols, schedules, material selection criteria, cataloging, technical aspects, donations, weeding, information about the institution, employees, budget, policies review, and the use of technological resources. Still, Lehmann and Locke (2015, p. 8) mention the relevance of performance evaluation (from 3 to 5 years) to maintain cohesion between the program’s performance effectiveness and the implemented policies and procedures.

A standard prison library collection should be regularly updated to reflect the current needs of its users and include approximately 100 commercial fiction titles, or an average of two such books per inmate. The materials are previously selected by the information professional and managed and maintained according to the defined criteria – relevance of subject; user’s interests and needs; artistic, social, scientific, or cultural interest; cost and reach of such materials. Only publications that somehow risk security can be censured (Faletar et al., 2022). In Turkish prisons, fiction (88.2%) and religious books are the literary genres available in the prison library’ collection (Dilek-Kayaoglu and Demir, 2014: p. 135). Sequeiros (2018: p. 117) exposes the inadequacy of the collection in prison libraries – 8000 books inhabit the library of the prison facility of Santa Cruz do Bispo, in Portugal, and the majority cover an academic variety of subjects and are condemned to gather dust on the shelves, being of no interest to the library users. Romantic novels and emotional and deep stories are the books more commonly purchased, along with some poetry. The author also points out the lack of language diversity in the books available – the different nationalities and spoken languages must be reflected in the idioms of the available resources (Sequeiros, 2018: p. 118). Alongside reading, CDs and cassettes are commonly requested materials. It is recommended that the library answers the requests and interests of its users, while enforcing diversity and literary development (Sequeiros, 2018: p. 126).

Lehmann (2000) enlists assertiveness, communication skills, conflict-solving capacity, will teach and learn, and social skills as the main characteristics that information professionals should encompass in a prison context. The prison librarian’s responsibilities include management, processing and recovering information, user support, interlibrary loan, and literacy development. Krolak (2020: p. 4 and p. 12) adds book’s restauration, cataloguing, financial and human resources management, and promotion of reading activities. Library can be as gratifying to its professionals, as it is for its users (Lehmann, 2000).

Benefits

There are several advantages and uses for the prison library, its contribution to mental health and social reintegration are the most mentioned in the literature.

The library promotes activities that stimulate emotional and mental health; provides tools to prevent anxiety, stress, boredom, lack of goals, overthinking, and sleep difficulties, through adequate reading and activities promoted by the institution (Garner, 2019: pp. 348–350); satisfies informational needs (specifically, legal information); supplies technical, educational, learning and spiritual development; creates awareness about health and hygiene habits; and provides information on social and financial support (Eze, 2016: p. 5, 2016, p. 9).

Social reintegration is the main goal that the prison aims towards, in which the prison library can provide a solid contribution through socialization and rehabilitation (Sousa et al., 2020: p. 26). Finlay and Bates (2018: p. 128) reinforce the need to fight against ‘anti-socialization’ and the negative connotation attributed to educational institutions - a result of frustrating past experiences. The library intends to strengthen the connection between the incarcerated population and the outside community, strengthen their bonds, provide tools that aid the offender’s family ties, facilitate their civic role, and incentivize the convict to maintain the connection between themselves and their local library, after release.

Alphabetization and literacy are frequently referred to as the basal activities the library offers and the opportunities that arise from them. Mishra et al. (2022: pp. 290–291) and Finlay and Bates (2018: p. 129) emphasize the alphabetization program’s pertinence, on competence acquisition and learning process, through access to many resources that confront different ideas, book clubs, writing development activities, literacy group activities, and technological activities. Finlay (2022: p. 5) stated that 93% of the inmates indicated informational needs as the primary reason for visiting the library, leaving educational needs to 48% of the results, and recreational motives to 38%. The Portuguese’ incarcerated population shows the same pattern of illiteracy – 6.7% of the population was completely illiterate, 26% had attended primary school and more than half the population hadn’t reached high school (56.4%) (Olhar para o futuro para guiar a ação presente: Relatório sobre O Sistema Prisional e Tutelar, 2017: p. 119).

According to several authors, freedom is the unlikely benefit that the library awakens (Garner, 2019: p. 347 ; Mishra et al., 2022: p. 290). In a context absent of autonomy, individuality, and choice, being able to choose an activity, a book, or a place to explore, the library emerges as a sanctuary of freedom and hope. It enables prisoners to choose what to read, which activities to participate in, or whether to read at all.

Social reintegration

It falls on the prison system to assure and promote offenders’ social skills – this principle assumes the inmate as a free citizen inside a correctional facility (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 265). The social reintegration principle prevails, as one of the structuring principles of penitentiary law, defending the offender’s capacity for self-transformation (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 23). Institutional support is imperative, as well as the presence of the convict’s social network and professional occupation to ensure financial autonomy. The process should align with inmates’ competencies and local opportunities (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 251 and p. 296). Research indicates that psychological support is an important factor in optimizing the success of social reintegration. Individualised therapeutic support benefits not only inmates but also their families (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 241). For reintegration to be achieved, a deep and personal transformation must happen. Rocha et al. (2008: pp. 188–189) state that most inmates undergo such change (74.8%), even though not always positive. Some benefit from rehab, education, and cultural or literacy development; others see their mental health decline, develop addictions, or lose social connections. This disparity raises questions: What promotes success? What can be adapted from positive cases? What role do prisons and institutions play in failure? How can correctional facilities and society foster reintegration?

Strong will and determination are key to this transformation (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 122). The most significant victory is combating drug addiction through rehab programmes. Less common but important are inmates who use incarceration to reflect, take responsibility, and find employment. Beyond being reintegrative, work is an active agent in development – it enhances self-discipline, optimises free time, sparks motivation, and prepares inmates for the job market (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 281). However, some convicts show no accountability for their life choices and the reasons that led them to incarceration; and it is worth highlighting the issue of drug trafficking inside prison facilities and its arising consequences. Security measures must therefore be questioned and strengthened (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 156 and p. 167).

Relationships are central in the reintegration process – if regular and responsible, social capital is a highly effective strategy that should be coordinated along with the different planned activities (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 251). Family, by excellence, is the most significant social group the convict will be part of, allowing individuals to preserve identity and escape the prison environment. Family and other ties are often newly valued after deprivation of freedom (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 189). Family is both means and end: a pillar for reintegration, and a goal in itself, as reintegration seeks responsible household members and capable citizens (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 206). Its potential is often neglected when excluded from programmes. It is coherent with the present scope of this research that not only will the convict try to return to society’s norms, but the community also commits to overcoming social barriers and including its marginalized individuals. Rocha et al. (2005: p. 286) denounce the unsatisfactory reality of implementing measures, during and after incarceration, to support inmates in their return to civil society. Atfield et al. (2007: pp. 12–13) and Brosens et al. (2015: p. 1496) present converging areas in reintegration – citizenship, statutory support (state or otherwise), functional support (education, housing, work), and the social domain. Among contributing organisations, institutional support is central, guided by principles of inclusion and responsibility, and involving family ties and community services (Rocha et al., 2005: p. 139).

Reintegration inside the library

The public library constitutes an accessible, inclusive, democratic space, that promotes freedom of speech, learning, and civic participation (Serra, 2022: p. 174). IFLA/UNESCO (1994) states social inclusion, the fight against discrimination in information access, the offer of educational and cultural programs, personal development tools, a refuge for minorities and vulnerable people, fostering new experiences and positive memories, promotion of relationships, and social cohesion as libraries’ fundamental principles (Serra, 2022: p. 41). In Life Long Learning: The Prison Library as a Bridge to Participation, Brosens et al. (2015: p. 1496) share the participation in Belgian prison programs: 92% of the population participated, at least in one activity. Of this group, 85.8% chose the library as the main activity. Sports, psychotechnical training and education also show significant results (40.5%, 38.8%, and 29%, respectively). Activities that fall on mental health and sociocultural dynamics only show participation of 18% and 10.1% of the population. Dilek-Kayaoglu and Demir (2014: p. 130) defend the role of the prison library in the rehabilitation process, and Easton (2011: p. 141, cited by Dilek-Kayaoglu and Demir, 2014: p. 130) asserts that the recreation of a normal social context inside prison walls, the maintenance of their social network and access to information encourages the rehabilitation process, the return to civil society, and fights harmful acquired habits.

The role of reading

Reading contributes to social equality, enabling education and access to culture, particularly for marginalized groups that lack the chance to develop such areas, resulting in fewer opportunities and increased difficulties in life (Sansonoviz, 2017: p. 8). It is necessary to formulate a policy of book selection criteria to satisfy the information and recreational needs of this group – the task often lies on the subjectivity of the person attending the library tasks, who lacks the acquired skills and knowledge over collection management collection (Sansonoviz, 2017: p. 22), which only illustrates the necessity for a professional librarian at the institution. The available literature accuses the lack of initiative to acquire adequate resources on the facilities’ behalf. Along with insufficient reading promotion, Sequeiros (2018: p. 119) denounces the inadequacy of available materials – only the purpose of education was considered when selecting reading material. In Canadian prisons, however, inmates are invited to participate in the material selection process (Curry et al., 2003: p. 149). Sansonoviz (2017: p. 27) mentions the importance of acquiring more diverse literature, to the detriment of religious books. Religious interest and guidance are common in the prison context; therefore, it is imperative to supply the prisoners with that material. Prisons in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, register poetry, fiction (romance, short stories, adventure, and suspense), self-development, history, and spiritualism as literary interests (Sansonoviz, 2017: p. 34). Malaysian prisons nonetheless register more technical and educational publications as main interests - dictionaries, thesauri, and entrepreneurial and business books (Rafedzi et al., 2016: p. 104). In Santa Cruz do Bispo prison, in Portugal, Sequeiros (2018: p. 120) mentions light and commercial literature as the most used items. An average inmate – a person lacking reading habits – often turns into an avid reader, reading between 2 and 3 books weekly. Library, and reading in particular, can become such a transforming force and create a chain event where the new readers inspire and motivate other inmates to follow suit. Reading propels self-conscience and reflection, contributing to a more profound empathy, according to Mishra et al. (2022: p. 290).

Learning behind bars

The library is a space that enables the process of learning and knowledge, which stands for civic engagement in democracy, through illimited access to information and culture (IFLA/UNESCO, 1994). Finlay and Bates (2018: p. 127) list the library’s areas of impact: mental health and well-being, self-development, competencies, motivation, and social capital. Milanesi (1983: p. 13) praises the role of education in the evolution of society – prioritizing education, dissemination of information and research promote social development. In the reintegration process, information literacy and the development of personal and human competencies are fundamental (Caidi et al., 2010: p. 494). Hopkins (2012, p. 13 and p. 18) asserts that reintegration is more successful in individuals with a higher education level and elaborates this statement, by verifying that inmates who invest in their studies, while confined, suffer a 15% less probability of reoffending.

Information and education institutions must have a long-term vision of their user’s needs (Sansonoviz, 2017: p. 27). Correctional facilities are responsible for providing a professional occupation and education; if these programs are unavailable, some other adequate program must be provided (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 125). Regardless of how focused this paper is on the potential of educational and professional competencies, it is adamant not to neglect the development and enrichment of the self, since profound transformation and change start on a personal level (Rocha et al., 2008: p. 204). The library, within the scope of education, performs an active role on encouraging education, rehabilitation, and social reintegration (Sansonoviz, 2017: p. 13). Thus, the library’ contribution is not limited to the inmate but is active in society itself by encouraging society to be better informed and more democratic, more tolerant and respectful towards identity and privacy, more inclusive, gifted with more critical thinking, and more decision-making capacity.

Obstacles

Difficulties in this context encompass outdatedness, organization and management inefficiency, shortage of qualified personnel, censorship, isolation, and insufficiency and obstacles in activities.

Vitorino and Horta (2022) highlight that although the existence of a prison library is of proven necessity, it still lacks compliance with legal standards that require its presence, the adequacy and effectiveness of collections, and that abide by the ratio of the number of prisoners to the number of books. Sansonoviz (2017: p. 14) reports that in 1424 Brazilian prisons, only 401 (32%) had a library.

Outdatedness, in its various forms, is the most frequently pointed-out obstacle faced by prison libraries: of collections and resources, either educational or recreational (Fasae and Folorunso, 2020: p. 9; Finlay, 2022: p. 3); outdated resources – budget, space, staff, and services (Faletar et al., 2022); the outdatedness in the development of the librarian’s skills (Finlay, 2022: p. 3); and the outdatedness of the physical facility as well (Olhar para o futuro para guiar a ação presente: Relatório sobre O Sistema Prisional e Tutelar, 2017: p. 16).

Management and organization are also affected by the lack of strategic administrative policies, and human, technical, and financial resources. This reality also reflects the social interest in investment on social reintegration (Olhar para o futuro para guiar a ação presente: Relatório sobre o Sistema Prisional e Tutelar, 2017: p. 11). Rocha et al. (2008: p. 172) also criticize the lack of support for inmates after release, which manifests in the difficulty of the transformative process that incarceration intends to achieve. The deficiency of development and funding are additional obstacles lived in Nigerian prisons, that face lack of digital resources, insufficient infrastructures and a deficient collection’s management (Fasae and Folorunso, 2020: p. 1). Scarce funds add to the reality of informational poverty - the acquisition of new titles often depends on public donations (77.4% of Turkish prisons) (Dilek-Kayaoglu and Demir, 2014: p. 6).

Considering the qualified professionals – there is a factual deficit of librarians in the premises and even in the facilities that do provide an informational professional, they do not dispose of adequate strategies to deal with the isolation that the librarian works in (Finlay, 2020: pp. 128–129). Dilek-Kayaoglu and Demir (2014: p. 134) denounce the challenges in developing and improving services, technical support and lack of cooperation among prison libraries, caused by the absence of professionals exerting the librarian tasks.

Censorship and other restrictions are a heavy impediment, but also a necessity, that should only be imposed when a specific content threats the institution’s security (Curry et al., 2003: p. 149; Fasae and Folorunso, 2020: p. 9; Lehmann and Locke, 2015: p. 6). The library program is integrated into the prison environment, and the access to information, promoted by its program, goals and professionals, can not interfere with the facility’s mission and security policies – by providing books that inform on how to build explosives, that can lead to escape or some other related content (Lehmann, 2000). Some facilities in the USA also banished manuals on electrical engineering, carpentry, and plumbing. Resources that offer explicitly sexual, racist, or violent content are forbidden in federal Canadian prisons, along with books about inmates who are serving their sentence in the same facility, books about sex crimes, gangs, guns (and how to make them), alcoholic drinks, tattoos, locksmithing, computer programming, and maps (Curry et al., 2003: pp. 148–149).

The constraints in the implementation of activities include the insufficiency of cultural activities (Vitorino and Horta, 2022) and the unpredictability of the prison environment itself, which can result in interruptions of events and obstruct access to the library (Finlay, 2020, as cited by Finlay, 2022: p. 2). It is important to emphasize the most pressing difficulties from the convict’s perspective, and not solely from the institutional viewpoint. A population marked by illiteracy, drug addiction, learning difficulties, and many kinds of abuse throughout life is faced with the result of informational needs that are not covered, despite the institution’s resources. The lack of awareness, from the inmates themselves, prevents them from benefiting from the library’s services (Curry et al., 2003: p. 143). Dilek-Kayaoglu and Demir (2014: p. 137) identifies the lack of updated resources and insufficient acquirement of new titles (45.2%), deficit of qualified professionals (25.5%), want of physical conditions (20%), deficient donations (6%) and low funds (5.1%) as the main problems of prison libraries.

Incarceration might just be the most challenging context in which library science plays its role, for the obstruction of its fundamental goal – satisfying the user’s needs and interests, since maintaining the safety and well-being is proprietary to the prisoner’s informational needs. This obstacle, along with the censorship that the resources go through, and the limitation of digital resources, limit the services both libraries and librarians may offer their users (Finlay and Bates, 2018: p. 125). Rocha et al. (2005: p. 24) ignite the discussion of the reintegration program’s efficiency and question if the institution itself is a catalyst for criminogenic behavior instead of enhancing the regeneration and integration of the offender.

Activities available

Employability is an area of significant investment in this endeavor – by pursuing professional opportunities, technical training, acquiring digital skills, and establishing contacts with entities (Togores, 2014: p. 21).

Lehmann and Locke (2015: p. 17) through IFLA’s guidelines suggest book clubs, author readings, debates, literary contests, quizzes, creative writing workshops, musical programs, art workshops and the exhibition of the resulting works, literacy, recreational games (spelling contests, for example), promotion of cultural festivities and professional opportunities, as services the library could provide to the inmates, with the adequate and necessary adaptations. Lehmann (2000) elaborates on how learning should occur both independently (through autonomous reading) and with the support of a professional. The author mentions the law support center, rehab programs, community information, space for retreat, and research as additional suggestions of services available, being mindful of the limitations the facilities face to do so. Vitorino and Horta (2022) point out how dependent prison programs are on private initiatives, such as the program “Ópera na prisão” (“Opera in prison”) and protocols with public libraries. Silva (2012: p. 35) illustrates the program “The changing lives through literature” promoted by the University of Massachusetts which presupposes the inmates’ participation in weekly meetings to debate literature and tests.

Conclusion

The information recovered mostly reflected the needs and interests of the male prison population. This tendency also translates the tendency verified in projects and research influenced by the overwhelming space this gender occupies, as well as the nature of the crimes practiced by this social group, causing them to overlook the female offenders. Alongside this discrepancy, Faletar et al. (2022) point out that the outdatedness of facilities and management policies, and the lack of qualified professionals present the main limitations lived by the system.

Funding is a frequent obstacle that institutions face to develop and satisfy their population needs - social awareness grows, but it is followed by financial crisis and limited budget, which frustrate society and may condition public opinion to not redirect the necessary public investment that the reintegration process entails. This leads to a limitation of resources and tools, which reduces the social reintegration’s effectiveness and increases recidivism, which in turn contributes to higher crime rates and subsequent financial costs resulting from the growing prison population. Intolerance is, in fact, the convict’s first companion ever before they are behind bars – the absence of opportunity, the insufficient incentive, and the scarce support; all of which push the individual to a life on the margins of society, further accentuated later by incarceration. The hardships experienced by a country that is socially and financially weakened will be felt most pronouncedly by its most vulnerable groups.

The artistic programs proved to be a strong tool in the inmate’s self-development – self-expression, self-acceptance, self-trust, and connection with their peers. The study briefly addressed the evolution of the correctional system, specifically its goal and the growing awareness towards a rehabilitative and cooperative role in the prisoner’ “self-reconstruction”. Sousa et al. (2020: p. 26) suggest different parameters in which to reflect on information science in this context to optimize social development – reading activities, the prison library’s role in reintegration, the utility of informational products, the management of information for the incarcerated, education in prison facilities. Countries such as England, Wales, and Norway present high quality prison libraries, which reflects the large investment that is placed in information institutions, translating that quality of resources, adequate management policies, and further on, lower recidivism rates. The question remains if the success of the reintegration relies only on initiatives – whether the same measures implemented in different countries, under varied cultural and social contexts, would provide similar outcomes. Krolak (2020: p. 43) appeals to the need to adopt the model of public libraries – their cooperation, cohesive initiative, enabling the modernization of management, providing better availability of quality resources and services, and professional development opportunities as well.

The current research aimed to present the various strategies and roles that prison libraries seek to incorporate, with the purpose of enhancing social reintegration – by promoting professional skills, reinforcing individuals’ social networks and family ties, and providing mental health support. It was also within the scope of this investigative work to assess the needs of inmates and, consequently, the strategies adopted by the library to address the needs of these users. In order to meet these informational needs, structural adaptations are required in prison facilities, particularly in prison libraries, including adequately trained professionals; infrastructure that allows library access; funding that secures material and human resources; updated collections; and finally, government policies that address the deficiencies identified by correctional facilities.

What is the role of the prison library and the literacies it provides in the social reintegration of inmates?

The literature and the inmates’ testimonies attest to the undeniable role that the prison library and its activities play in the emotional and mental health of the individuals. Additionally, it is profoundly meaningful that participation in such activities provides the freedom experienced, as well as its role in connecting prisoners to their social network beyond the prison walls. Apart from mental health and freedom, the various strategies and programs adopted by libraries promote family and social bonds, a humanized perception of prisoners by society, social cohesion, self-confidence, and self-esteem – all of which should, in a structured and coherent way, contribute to the overall goal of social reintegration.