Corrections Act 2004, s 78, Prison Operations Manual, F.04

All prisoners have the right to regular access to prison library services, as far as this is practicable.

Most prisons will have a library service that is run by either prison librarians or volunteers. Often there will also be a small library within your particular unit, as well as the bigger prison library.

If you’re a low- or medium-security prisoner then a community or city library bus may come out to your prison, and you’ll be able to get a library card that will let you use that library bus.

Each prison will have its own rules for how its library operates and when it can be used. However, you should get regular access to your prison’s library service.

Corrections Act 2004, s 43, 45A; Prison Operations Manual, F.04

The prison library service should have adequate books, magazines and other information to help you with your education and study. It should also have general recreational material, including fiction and non-fiction books and magazines.

Any books, magazines or other information that’s classed as “objectionable” won’t be available. This includes material that is:

• pornographic
• openly violent or to do with the occult
• gang-related, or:
• that the prison staff think could interfere with the security and good order of the prison.

You may be able to do this by asking the librarian and prison staff to arrange it.

The number of books you can have out at any one time will depend on each individual library and how it’s run. Some libraries are more restrictive than others.

Prison Operations Manual, F.04

Yes – anyone can donate books to the prison library service. However, the books won’t be accepted if they are classed as “objectionable.

You should contact the Ombudsman or the prison inspector about this. See the chapter “Support” for contact details