NCJ Number
45885
Journal
Wilson Library Bulletin Volume: 51 Issue: 6 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1977) Pages: 526-529
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE LIBRARY FACILITIES AT THE MASSACHUSETTS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN BRIDGEWATER ARE DESCRIBED. BRIDGEWATER HAS TWO LIBRARIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INMATES IN THE THREE DEPARTMENTS SERVING DIFFERENT OFFENDER POPULATIONS.
Abstract
EACH LIBRARY HAS ITS OWN STAFF, BOOK COLLECTION, CARD CATALOGUE PROGRAMS, AND AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT SERVING RESIDENTS OF THE STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE AND ADDICTION CENTER AND TREATMENT CENTER FOR THE SEXUALLY DANGEROUS RESIDENTS. INTERLIBRARY LOANS PERMIT RESIDENTS ACCESS TO MATERIAL IN BOTH LIBRARIES. IN 1970 A FULL-TIME LIBRARIAN WAS HIRED, AND FUNDING WAS GRANTED. SUITABLE SPACE AND EXTENSIVE RENOVATION WERE PROVIDED. A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER WAS ASSIGNED TO ASSIST THE LIBRARIAN IN SUPERVISION, AND RESIDENTS WERE ASSIGNED PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME JOBS IN THE LIBRARIES AND APPROPRIATELY TRAINED. BOTH LIBRARIES HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN THE PAST 9 YEARS, AND A LAW LIBRARY AND MATERIALS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. THE FACILITIES RESEMBLE MOST SMALL LIBRARIES, AND THE COLLECTION LARGELY REFLECTS THE SPECIFIC INTERESTS OF THE INMATES. THESE INCLUDE POETRY, PSYCHOLOGY, BLACK STUDIES, CRIME STORIES, SELF-HELP BOOKS, AND FICTION. THE SIGNS OF SUCCESS ARE SEEN IN THE BROWSING, READING, RECORD LISTENING, POETRY WRITING, AND DISCUSSION ON THE PART OF THE INMATES. RECORDKEEPING CANNOT TRULY REFLECT THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEING A WITHDRAWN INMATE PROGRESS FROM PURPOSELESS ACTIVITY TO READING POETRY, OR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE TAKE PLEASURE IN READING. ONE MUST CONTEND WITH SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN THE RUNNING OF A PRISON LIBRARY. LIBRARY HOURS MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SCHEDULING OF INMATE EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, VISITATION, AND THERAPY. SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS ARE OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE, AND RULES AND REGULATIONS MUST TAKE PRECEDENCE. OCCASIONAL SEARCHES ARE NECESSARY AS THE LIBRARY PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT HIDING PLACE FOR CONTRABAND. STAFF TURNOVER, LACK OF A SUFFICIENT BUDGET, AND THE LARGE SPECTRUM OF READING INTERESTS AND ABILITIES ALSO ARE SOURCES OF PROBLEMS. MANY RESIDENTS ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH A LIBRARY AND, CONSEQUENTLY, FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH BORROWING RULES RESULTS IN HOARDING, LOSS, AND DESTRUCTION OF MATERIALS. SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS MAY BE OVERCOME BY GOING BEYOND STEREOTYPES, PROVIDING SUPPORT, AND TREATING EACH INMATE AS AN INDIVIDUAL. THE STATE OF INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARIES IN MASSACHUSETTS IS SEEN AS STEADILY IMPROVING. (JAP)