Australian Library and Information Association minimum standard guidelines for library services to prisoners

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Minimum Standard Guidelines for Library Services to Prisoners provide guidance on the establishment, operation, and evaluation of library services to prisoners in Australia. The Standard Guidelines for Corrections in Australia (2012) state that: "Prisoners should have access to a library, adequately stocked with both recreational and information resources, which is operated according to standard library practice. Prisoners should be encouraged to make full use of the library." All people - including prisoners - have a fundamental right to read, learn and access information. Prison libraries play a pivotal role in supporting constructive educational, recreational and welfare programs. These Guidelines are a practical resource for prison librarians, prison authorities and other institutions responsible for administering prison library facilities. The original Australian Prison Libraries: Minimum Standard Guidelines were released in 1990. The current version has been substantially revised and is partly based on the Guidelines for Library Services to Prisoners (3rd ed.), developed by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (Lehmann & Locke, 2005).&nbsp