Saskatchewan librarians push for better access to books in jails

For many Canadians, reading a book is part of daily life — whether its for learning, entertainment or peace of mind. But in Saskatchewan's provincial jails, access to reading materials is far from guaranteed.

That's something two librarians are working to change.

"People who are incarcerated don't forfeit their rights to access to information or to reading materials," says Alan Kilpatrick, a librarian with the Law Society of Saskatchewan.

Kilpatrick and Marika Hunter, a librarian at the RCMP Depot Learning Resource Centre, are part of the Saskatchewan Library Association's Prison Library Subcommittee. They say incarcerated people in the province are often overlooked when it comes to access to books and information.

"It's a window to the outside world for incarcerated persons and it allows for them to prepare for reintegration and rehabilitation once they leave the correctional system," Kilpatrick said.

Unlike federally-run prisons, which are governed by legislation that includes library standards, Saskatchewan's provincially-run correctional centres don't have the same requirements in place.

"There is federal legislation that kind of sets out standards for library materials and services for federal institutions," Hunter said. "We don't actually have comparable legislation provincially, so we see inconsistent access."

Saskatoon Morning8:36How two librarians are working to get incarcerated people access to more books

Host Stephanie Massicotte speaks with two members of the Saskatchewan Library Association's Prison Library Sub-Committee about getting more reading materials into correctional facilities and how books can help inmates with reintegration.

The committee has formed partnerships with three correctional centres in Regina, delivering "appropriate reading materials." But the process, they say, isn't simple.

"We collect donations, we purchase books and then we schedule deliveries with the prisons," said Hunter. "But a big part of our job getting the books into their hands is sorting, giving people the books that would meet their informational needs."

Both Hunter and Kilpatrick see the impact of books through their professions as librarians.

"I just was struck by how important this is, what an impact it has and how fundamental it is to librarianship, that universal access that we're not seeing for incarcerated people," said Hunter. "So I heard that. I kind of looked in, do we have anything happening like that in Saskatchewan? And the answer was no, not really."

Kilpatrick added that the benefits of access to reading go well beyond passing the time.

"For young adults who are incarcerated, this is going to assist them in any education that they're receiving while they're incarcerated," he said. "For adults who are incarcerated, it's going to be a way for them to prepare for release and reintegration."

While the librarians are pleased with the growing collaboration from correctional staff, they believe putting access into law would make a long-term difference.

"I think having legislation is a good starting point," said Hunter.

The committee is currently accepting donations of paperback books in good condition, as well as monetary contributions. Volunteers are also welcome to help sort and deliver materials.