NCJ Number
73420
Date Published
1977
Length
27 pages
Annotation
A survey was administered to 54 sample staff members at the Connecticut Correctional Institution, Cheshire, Conn., to determine the extent to which the staff made use of the library since inauguration of the library program in January 1976.
Abstract
The institution has over 400 male inmates and over 200 staff members. A 3-page questionnaire was sent to the sample of 54 staff members with instruction to the respondents to send the answered form to the State Department of Correction's central office in Hartford, so that respondents could be candid in their comments. Most of the surveys were mailed to the individuals at their job locations. A total of 31 of the 54 answered the survey. Respondents included teachers, counselors, psychologists, administrators, and guards (correctional officers). The survey asked questions about frequency of library use, the library's importance in filling information and recreation needs, potential effects on use of expansion of the collection and hours, suggestions for future programs, and impressions on what the library was doing and should be doing. Results showed that half of the sample used the library daily or weekly. Also, everyone wanted the library to be open more often. Finally, the responses indicated that the staff was willing to improve job performance by using library materials if adequate materials and professional guidance in library use were provided. Tables show the survey results, the questionnaire is appended. (Author abstract modified)