Creating New Correctional Programs and Services in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Jill Anderson Queens Public Library image/svg+xml
  • Nili Ness
  • Diego Sandoval-Hernandez

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2022.vol7.2.240

Abstract

This article explores the changed and changing COVID-19 pandemic programming implemented by Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library's correctional outreach teams. Every program or service offered by the correctional outreach teams was required to change to meet the needs of the pandemic. Additionally, the libraries created two new services: Library Hub, a tablet program for people in Rikers Island jail complex, and Immediate Access, a technology and resource access program for people on parole. The article explains the new services, provides the findings associated with almost two years of providing these services, and presents insights and suggested best practices.

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Author Biographies

  • Jill Anderson, Queens Public Library

    Jill is the Data and Project Coordinator at Queens Public Library and the Project Manager for the Immediate Access: Technology Reentry program. She is also a Library Specialist at Omaha Public Library. She is interested in outreach, the public library as a community space, and conversations surrounding non-monogamy and queerness.

  • Nili Ness

    Nili Ness is a Jail and Reentry Services librarian for San Francisco Public Library. She strongly believes in the right to read and that library services to people who are incarcerated is an impactful way to deliver on public librarianship’s core value of access. 

  • Diego Sandoval-Hernandez

    Diego Sandoval Hernandez is the Supervising Librarian for Jail and Prison Librarians at the Brooklyn Public Library. He holds a BA and a MILS from McGill University. He is passionate about providing library services to communities outside of the physical spaces of the library.

References

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NYC Probation [@nycprobation]. (2020, March 20). During this difficult time, FJC are here for you. Please reach out. You will find someone with guidance on immediate [Tweet; image of phone availability hours]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/nycprobation/status/ 1241090186815197184

Penin, L., Staszowski, E., Bruce, J., Adams, B., & Amatullo, M. (2019). Public libraries as engines of democracy: A research and pedagogical case study on design for re-entry. Nordes, 8(2019). https://archive.nordes.org/index.php/n13/article/download/460/431

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Waters, M. (2019, December 3). Free tablets for the incarcerated come with a price. The Outline. https://theoutline.com/post/8329/jpay-free-tablet-program-ripoff

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Williams, B., Ahalt, C., Cloud, D., Augustine, D., Rorvig, L. & Sears, D. (2020, March 26). Correctional facilities in the shadow of COVID-19: Unique challenges and proposed solutions. Health Affairs Forefront. https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/ forefront.20200324.784502/

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Published

2022-12-15

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Featured Articles

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How to Cite

Creating New Correctional Programs and Services in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. (2022). International Journal of Librarianship, 7(2), 46-60. https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2022.vol7.2.240