Institutional Library Services

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="109" caption="West Complex Library"][/caption] The Washington State Penitentiary can boast of having two libraries and has for quite some time.

My first prison library job was at the Washington State Penitentiary Main Institution Branch Library in 2005. During that time I enjoyed working in Walla Walla and when I left in 2007 I figured I would go back eventually, well at least to visit. This turned out to be truer then I thought when I went back a few months later to train the new staff member. However, when I went back that time things had not really changed. This time was different -everything had changed. The Main Institution is now the East Complex; it is now medium custody instead of close custody.

I know that all of the institutions are different, as each location has a different superintendent and they tend to run things based on the population that is housed in the institution. Monroe was definitely a change for me as it was the first time I experienced call-outs for the library. They way it works for the Reformatory is that there is a sign up sheet in each unit with 7 slots for each hour the library is open. All the units get to mingle and the first seven in each unit that sign up the night before get to go to the library.

Over the last couple weeks I got to travel across the state. Now this has its advantages and can actually be fun at times. This time was no exception. I had a good time but it was still good to get back. The first week I spent some time in Monroe at the Reformatory since the staff member had retired and they were short staffed. Also I admit I was branch shopping as I am thinking of transferring over. During my week there I realized that I would have a lot to do and it is a nice area, but the cost of living is a little bit more then I was expecting. I still haven't made a decision.

Just as there are different ways to interpret what a library is, there are different ways of providing information in a prison library. Here in Washington State we provide library service using the public library model. This means that we provide material to meet all the needs of our patrons, whether that be recreational, educational, or treament orientated. All material provide to inmates can be beneficial and provide a lasting impression on them.

A topic that comes up a lot in the prison system is the voting rights of inmates once they are released. Many of them wish to vote upon their release but there have been some conditions that they have had to meet in order to be able to vote. However, all of that changes for Washington ex-convicts with a new bill that passed this week. Check out more information on From Our Corner.

[caption id="attachment_535" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="McNeil Island Corrections Center Library"][/caption] According to Concise Oxford English Dictionary a library is "a building or room containing a collection of books and periodicals for use by the public or the members of an institution." With this definition I have to think that every institution in Washingto