“You Found What in a Book?” Contraband Control in the Prison Library

Abstract

Abstract Although prison librarians have the traditional duty of providing meaningful library services to their patron body of convicted felons, they have an additional obligation of controlling contraband. While one normally thinks of contraband as something smuggled, in the context of correctional services, the definition can be extended to include any item which is not permitted explicitly. Four categories of concern are identified: reading materials, library furniture, mail, and library supplies or materials. In a prison, even common office materials may be put to uses unforeseen by their manufacturers and users. As well, prisoners will use the library and its contents as “drop and pass locations” for a variety of articles. Contraband makes prisoners potentially stronger, compromises the security of an institution and its library, and derails library programs. Prison library staff who do not employ contraband control could be hurt, disciplined, fired, or murdered. A variety of contraband items are ide...