Prison Libraries Group

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Prison Libraries Group
Impact Statement

CILIP: The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the professional body that represents over 22,000 library and information workers in the United Kingdom. Under the terms of its Royal Charter, The Institute has a duty to promote high quality library and information services and to advise government, employers and others on all aspects of library and information provision.

Functional Literacy
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development defines functional literacy not as the ability to read and write but as "whether a person is able to understand and employ printed information in daily life, at home, at work and in the community". For both academic and economic success, it is imperative that prisoners can read easily.
Prison library staff can deliver reading for pleasure for prisoners at all ability levels.

Emotional Literacy
Emotional literacy is the ability to manage yourself and your own emotions and to understand what other people are thinking and feeling. Reading for pleasure is a safe way in which to explore and develop human relationships. Cutting edge reader development and family learning projects can contribute to raising self-esteem amongst prisoners, leading to reductions in re-offending.
Prison library staff can help to raise the self esteem of prisoners.

Information Literacy
“Information literacy is knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.” (CILIP)
Prison library staff work with prisoners to help them locate, retrieve, understand and communicate appropriate information.

Mental Health
Happiness, wellbeing, contentment, harmony, enjoyment and peace don't all mean the same thing, but they all suggest self-esteem and a positive outlook on life. Reading for pleasure increases relaxation and can reduce stress.
Prison library staff can work with health professionals to recommend reading that will help prisoners learn more about, and manage, their mental health.

An offender's engagement with the prison library can lead to:
● Improved self esteem
● Increased involvement in learning
● Increased employment opportunities

For more information about how libraries in prisons can contribute to the rehabilitation of offenders contact: