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These are the results of a short survey that was distributed through the Prison-lib listserv in early June. Questions were
asked about existing services for Spanish speakers in correctional facility libraries. The purpose of this survey was to
guide the formation of a curriculum for prison library staff on how to develop services and outreach for Spanish speakers
in their facilities. While the number of people who responded to this survey was not large enough to draw any general conclusions
about correctional library services, we still wanted to share some of the results of this survey. Thanks to everyone who
took the survey. We hope to release the training guide August 2007.
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44.4 % of the respondents responded legal and literacy materials were the most commonly requested types of information requested
by Spanish-speaking inmates, with 33.3 % stating ESL was the most commonly requested type of material. Fewer than 12% of
respondents stated family and parenting information, health information, and computer literacy information as commonly requested.
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Easy reading, current fiction, non-fiction books on Mexican history, especially Aztec and Mayan, are also highly requested
as well as books in Spanish, religious books (particularly books of prayers), business and self-employment information, self-help
and magazines.
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Fiction and magazines and newspapers are the most commonly requested materials, with ESL, vocational materials, and history/cultural
studies being the next most popular. No one stated children’s materials as materials of high interest to Spanish speakers
in their library. Fotonovelas and music cassettes are also of high interest.
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Some respondents said there were no specific issues that Spanish-speakers face. The majority of respondents said that not
speaking English and lack of relevant and high-interest materials in Spanish was a challenge for Spanish-speaking inmates
and that translation was needed for them to access services. Some also said that some Spanish-speaking inmates are not familiar
with the concept of the library. Another person stated that the population is highly mobile, and that “just when the librarians
think they’ve ordered the right materials, the population shifts again.” One person said that lack of computer access for
inmates and library staff was an issue, as well as coordination with the prison education programs.
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Just over half of respondents stated that ESL services are the most popular types of services, with GED, literacy, and legal
outreach services the next most popular. One mentioned art and drawing classes and another listed religion as a popular program.
20% of respondents stated that film showings were popular.
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No one had implemented a program in the library specifically for Spanish speakers, though most stated that they had bought
materials in Spanish.
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73 % of respondents stated that word of mouth was how respondents marketed services in the past, with displays in libraries
and newsletters ranking second and third. Some of respondents put flyers in the cells and dorms, created new books lists,
and others of respondents translated signage and correspondence in the library. 33% of respondents relied on library displays
to get the word out about library services.
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Bilingual inmates, ESL and Spanish teachers, unit staff, chaplains, transitional counselors, teachers, recreational and educational
staff, and library staff were all listed as people who could give respondents information about the needs of Spanish speakers.
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Most of respondents stated the language barrier as the greatest challenge in serving and finding out the needs of Spanish-speaking
inmates, though some of respondents said that there was often a bilingual staff or inmate who could help. Others stated security
policies, lack of Spanish resources, difficulty in assessing resources in Spanish, lack of support from DOC staff, lack of
bilingual staff, lack of access to email and computer resources, and not enough time available to help Spanish-speakers during
the timed visits.
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Spanish-speaking inmates are isolated by the language barrier.
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Cross-cultural communication strategies and collection development in Spanish were listed as the most useful topics for a
training guide. Specifically, where to find companies and bookstores that sell Spanish-language books and how to generate
community support for donated Spanish-language reading material. Others wanted to learn more about working with other prison
programs such as the pre-release education system and ELS. Marketing was listed as a topic of interest as well as how to
deal with a mobile population. Another topic of interest was how to find more international reference and international community
resource materials, as many Spanish-speakers are deported once they are released.
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