Pakistani prison libraries: an assessment of services and challenges
| Published date | 04 February 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-08-2018-0075 |
| Pages | 47-59 |
| Date | 04 February 2019 |
| Author | Tauseef Hussain,Syeda Hina Batool,Saira Hanif Soroya,Nosheen Fatima Warraich |
Pakistani prison libraries: an
assessment of services
and challenges
Tauseef Hussain
College of Arts and Design, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, and
Syeda Hina Batool,Saira Hanif Soroya and
Nosheen Fatima Warraich
Department of Information Management, University of the Punjab,
Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of the paper is to examinethe current status of prison libraries, their role, services
and collectionin Pakistani context. It also attempts to highlight the main problemsfaced by selected libraries.
Design/methodology/approach –The qualitative researchapproach was adopted to achieve the study
objectives. Data were collected usingface-to-face interviews to find out respondents’views about libraries in
prison.
Findings –Findings of the study confirmed that inmates’library queries are mostly related to the legal
matters, and it is quite natural. One of the significant services of the Pakistani prison libraries is to help
prisoners in their education. The main role of the library caretaker was to educate and offer rehabilitation
programs. Unavailability of library space, lack of professional staff, limited collections, poor budgetary
situationand censorship issues are the major challenges that Pakistani prisonlibraries are facing.
Social implications –The study findings furtherimplicate that open libraries and accessto books would
promote positivitywithin society and reduce criminaland immoral acts.
Originality/value –It is the first of its kind and unique study that presentsthe current situation of prison
libraries in the Pakistanicontext. The study has practical implicationsfor policymakers to give importance to
prison librariesin terms of finance, professional staff and the availability of informationsources.
Keywords Pakistan, Prisoners, Prison libraries, Jail libraries, Lahore,
Prisoners’information services
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Prison is a correctional institutionin which persons are held for court cases or to which they
committed for criminal behavior, as a result of court action. Correctional institutions are
built not just to punish the offendersbut to correct them by different programs and to enable
them to re-enter in the society as law abiding citizens. The prison library supports this
mission of correctional institutesthrough educating them, providing them legal information
for their defense; recreational material so that they might overcome their frustration and
boredom; enlightentheir vision; and supporting educational programs for theinmates.
Therefore, literature established the need to build prison libraries in prisons and to play
the role to build a nation in positivemanners.
Like any other human being, prisoners also have equal rights to read and get useful
education. Those who do not have access to right sources of information can be considered
Pakistani
prison libraries
47
Received31 August 2018
Revised19 October 2018
Accepted4 November 2018
GlobalKnowledge, Memory and
Communication
Vol.68 No. 1/2, 2019
pp. 47-59
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2514-9342
DOI 10.1108/GKMC-08-2018-0075
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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