• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.19-38
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• 2024

This study investigated the information needs of prisoners and the adequacy of information resources in prison libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study. The population of the study was 1781 inmates in prisons in Anambra State. The sample size of 327 was selected using Taro Yamane's formula and proportionate stratified sampling techniques. Two instruments titled the Information Needs of Prisoners Questionnaire and the Adequacy of Information Resources Checklist were used for data collection. The instruments were validated by three experienced lecturers. One in the department of Educational Foundations (Measurement and Evaluation Unit) and two in the Department of Library and Information Science, all at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire items, with a value of 0.79. The researchers administered the questionnaires with the help of four research assistants (correctional officers). Out of 327 questionnaires administered, 314 were successfully retrieved. The percentage return rate of distributed questionnaires is 96%. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of the mean; also, the International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) guideline for library services to prisoners was also used as a yardstick for the measurement of adequacy. The results from the data analysis indicated that prisoners have diverse information needs that, when met, would help them during their stay in prison as well as when they are eventually released; these needs include legal information, information on prison rules, financial information, and others. While there were few information resources found to be adequate, the inadequacy of most of the listed information resources is recorded in prison libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that information resources be made adequately available for prisoners in relation to their information needs.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.41-63
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• 2004

This study is an analysis of the prisoners' and the pre-trial prisoners' rights based on the laws and rules, and court cases. Rights included are the right to know and the access to information, the right to legal representation and the right of education, all of them can be protected when the prison libraries are administered In order to protect the prisoners' and pre-trial prisoners' rights, the necessity for the establishment of prison library is discussed and the direction of prison library system is suggested.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.37-48
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• 2018

Prisons are mostly filled with social deviants and like other correctional institutions, deserve organized information (provision) centers such as library. A study on library resource needs and accessibility by prison inmates was conducted at Kuje prison, Abuja and Kaduna prison, Kaduna, Nigeria, both of which have functional libraries. A sample of 898 inmates was randomly selected from all the convicted inmates in the two prisons. A total of 106 inmates were selected from Kuje prison and 792 from Kaduna prison. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the inmates. All the 898 inmates responded. A total of 786 (87.9%) males and 112 (12.4%) females were involved in the study. With regards to the educational level attained by the inmates, 347 (38.6%) had Junior Secondary School Certificate while 323 (30.0%) had Senior School Certificate both accounting for 74.6% of the sampled population. In areas of information needs, 94.5%, 96.1%, 98.7%, 99.4%, 100%, and 100% of the respondents indicated that information on current affairs, survival and coping, educational support, legal aid, skill acquisition, and health, respectively were highly needed by the inmates. Out of the 12 information resources listed, only newspaper, novel, handbook and manual, and bulletin were readily accessible with percentage accessibility of 60.7, 7.8, 6.8, and 1.9, respectively. One major reason adduced by the respondents for limited access to information resources was the very strict rules and regulations in the prison. Providing more library resources and granting the inmates more access to the library would assist in character reformation and rehabilitation of the inmates.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.91-114
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• 2023

This study increases awareness of the survey and demand for libraries in correctional facilities, which have not received much attention so far, and is necessary for improving the operation of existing research and libraries in Korea, which is conducting a current status survey of most correctional facility libraries. The contents of the service operation of the external correctional facility library were explored and analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, where correctional facility libraries are relatively well operated, are practically operating social rehabilitation programs while reducing recidivism of inmates, and library associations or local governments in each country are promoting the vitalization of correctional facility libraries. It helps and organizes committees or organizations involving related experts to discuss policy support, issue checks, research, report publication, drafting and revising guide guidelines, cooperation between libraries, and reflect them in actual operation. In addition, it maintains steady support and interest through public-private cooperation, and makes good use of the linkage system with local public libraries. As a result, it contributes to reducing the recidivism of prisoners. Through this study, the following three areas were suggested for the administrative improvement direction for correctional facility library services. First, the production and distribution of guidelines or guidebooks for correctional facility libraries, second, the establishment of a specialized correctional facility library organization within the correctional headquarters or library association, and third, the strengthening of activities and the operation of law libraries in correctional facilities.

• Journal of Information Management
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.125-150
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• 2009

This study aims to investigate current situation and improvement method of correctional facility libraries in Korea. Thus this study made the following suggestions to improve the operation of correctional facility library and to facilitate its growth so that the inmates' basic right to know and access information could be guaranteed: First, there should institutional and legal grounds for the establishment and operation of correctional facility library such as standards, guidelines, and enactments; second, the government should provide enough budgets for human and material resources so that a prison library can equip itself with materials, facilities, and staff to run smoothly; third, the inmates' free access to the library service should be guaranteed in an open space; fourth, the library should introduce an automation system for lending, returning, and handling materials; fifth, a collaboration system with external resources should be set up to make effective use of lacking resources; sixth, programs should be researched and developed to analyze the size and composition of the inmates, the needs of the inmates, and available service; and finally, there should be staff with the qualification of a librarian to be responsible for the operation and management of a correctional facility library and to offer specialized library service to the inmates.