PRINTER'S NO. 343
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.36
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY POWELL, KHAN, WAXMAN, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, GIRAL,
DONAHUE, SCHLOSSBERG, FREEMAN AND GREEN, JANUARY 28, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JANUARY 28, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the quality of carceral libraries in this
Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Education is a human right for which each individual
is entitled, regardless of the individual's age, gender or
background; and
WHEREAS, The right of an incarcerated or detained individual
to access education, including the use of library services, is
frequently overlooked or disregarded; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of imprisonment should not be to punish,
but to rehabilitate and reintegrate individuals into their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Access to library resources directly supports the
provision of certain skills and knowledge to allow incarcerated
or detained individuals to reenter society successfully; and
WHEREAS, Prison libraries assist incarcerated or detained
individuals in obtaining educational qualifications, career and
vocational training, communication skills and legal knowledge;
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WHEREAS, Offering library services to incarcerated or
detained individuals promotes independence, encourages self-
directed learning and allows them to engage with the world
around them in a positive way; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Corrections provides incarcerated
or detained individuals with library services through multiple
internal policies; and
WHEREAS, No study has been conducted to identify the
strengths and weaknesses of the current library policies
implemented by the Department of Corrections; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on the quality of
carceral libraries in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission provide
policy recommendations to the House of Representatives to
improve upon any inadequacies found during the course of the
survey; and be it further
RESOLVED, That in conducting the survey, the Joint State
Government Commission include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Questions regarding the adequacy of book and media
collections, including questions regarding the following:
(i) Whether an incarcerated or detained individual
feels that the individual has access to a variety of
materials to meet the individual's needs.
(ii) Which materials an incarcerated or detained
individual accesses the most.
(2) Questions regarding the provision of user services
and technical services, including questions regarding the
following:
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is provided with an orientation on library use.
(ii) Whether the library resources offered properly
prepare an incarcerated or detained individual for
navigating life postincarceration.
(3) Questions regarding the number of books or other
media held per incarcerated or detained individual, including
questions regarding the following:
(i) Which types of books are being held.
(ii) The duration of time when the books are being
held.
(4) Questions regarding accessibility, including
questions regarding the following:
(i) Whether an incarcerated or detained individual
finds the library resources appropriately priced.
(ii) Whether an incarcerated or detained individual
feels that the individual has an appropriate amount of
time allotted for library use;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission submit a
report of its findings and recommendations to the House of
Representatives no later than one year from the adoption of this
resolution.
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