Library Services To Prisoners In South East Geopolitical Zones Of Nigeria

Abstract

Prison inmates tend to be side -lined in information provision in Nigeria. Library services to prisoners are critical to their rehabilitation into the larger society on release. The paper is an assessment of Provision of Library services to prison inmates in South East Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. The questionnaire method was adopted. Responses were collated and analyzed. The study revealed that the information needs of the prison inmates in certain d isciplines were lacking or non existent. It noted that library resources in the prison libraries are grossly inadequate. It was also revealed that the collections in these prison libraries are being managed by people without proper training in information handling and management. It noted wi th dismay that prison libraries do not or rather receive the attention it deserved from government and the society in general. The study recommends recruitment of professional staff who are versed in information handling and management, active involvement of government in provision of adequate funds to prison libraries, provision of out-reach library services, by nearby libraries both public and private to prison inmates, creating awareness of the public for the need to support the prison libraries.

Key Words: Library services, Prisoners, South East, Nigeria