The current prison population in the UK is around 92,000 people. Evidence from the Shannon Trust suggests that around half of this population may be functionally illiterate. This means that some 46,000 people in prison have a reading age of
11 years, with around 20% of these at a much lower level even than this. Prison libraries and the dedicated professional staff who run and support them make a profound difference to the prison service, to the outcomes and rehabilitation
for prisoners and, ultimately, to society as a whole.
Aims for Prison Libraries:
Working with the Prison Libraries Group, CILIP is committed to securing the following outcomes for prison libraries:
Inclusion of prison libraries in the HM Prisons & Probation Service (HMPPS) revised guidelines
Recognition of prison libraries in HM Prison Inspectorate (HMPI) Expectations Statement
Awareness of CILIP and CILIP PLG amongst prison librarians
Engagement with the value of prison libraries by Governors and other senior stakeholders
Prison staff (including prison education services) think ‘libraries first’ when planning their work
Engagement with professionalism and professional qualifications by prison library providers
Engagement with excellence in prison libraries by HMPPS and HMPI
CILIP Prison Libraries Group
The CILIP Prison Libraries Group is an active, welcoming community of prison library staff who are committed to securing wider recognition of the importance of prison libraries and the difference they make.
Membership of the Group is open to all CILIP members. Visit the Prison Libraries Group homepage to find out more
Research resources
The Prison Libraries Group publishes a list of publications and research resources for people interested in the life-changing work of prison libraries.
CILIP and the Prison Libraries Group are pleased to work with a range of partner organisations to advocate for the work of librarians and information professionals in the prison system.
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