HR 36 — A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the quality of carceral libraries in this Commonwealth.

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
 1   Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
 2      study on the quality of carceral libraries in this
 3      Commonwealth.
 4      WHEREAS, Education is a human right for which each individual
 5   is entitled, regardless of the individual's age, gender or
 6   background; and
 7      WHEREAS, The right of an incarcerated or detained individual
 8   to access education, including the use of library services, is
 9   frequently overlooked or disregarded; and
10      WHEREAS, The purpose of imprisonment should not be to punish,
11   but to rehabilitate and reintegrate individuals into their
12   communities; and
13      WHEREAS, Access to library resources directly supports the
14   provision of certain skills and knowledge to allow incarcerated
15   or detained individuals to reenter society successfully; and
16      WHEREAS, Prison libraries assist incarcerated or detained
17   individuals in obtaining educational qualifications, career and
18   vocational training, communication skills and legal knowledge;
 1   and
 2         WHEREAS, Offering library services to incarcerated or
 3   detained individuals promotes independence, encourages self-
 4   directed learning and allows them to engage with the world
 5   around them in a positive way; and
 6         WHEREAS, The Department of Corrections provides incarcerated
 7   or detained individuals with library services through multiple
 8   internal policies; and
 9         WHEREAS, No study has been conducted to identify the
10   strengths and weaknesses of the current library policies
11   implemented by the Department of Corrections; therefore be it
12         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
13   State Government Commission to conduct a study on the quality of
14   carceral libraries in this Commonwealth; and be it further
15         RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission provide
16   policy recommendations to the House of Representatives to
17   improve upon any inadequacies found during the course of the
18   survey; and be it further
19         RESOLVED, That in conducting the survey, the Joint State
20   Government Commission include, at a minimum, the following:
21             (1)   Questions regarding the adequacy of book and media
22         collections, including questions regarding the following:
23                   (i)    Whether an incarcerated or detained individual
24             feels that the individual has access to a variety of
25             materials to meet the individual's needs.
26                   (ii)   Which materials an incarcerated or detained
27             individual accesses the most.
28             (2)   Questions regarding the provision of user services
29         and technical services, including questions regarding the
30         following:

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 1                 (i)    Whether an incarcerated or detained individual
 2          is provided with an orientation on library use.
 3                 (ii)    Whether the library resources offered properly
 4          prepare an incarcerated or detained individual for
 5          navigating life postincarceration.
 6          (3)    Questions regarding the number of books or other
 7      media held per incarcerated or detained individual, including
 8      questions regarding the following:
 9                 (i)    Which types of books are being held.
10                 (ii)    The duration of time when the books are being
11          held.
12          (4)    Questions regarding accessibility, including
13      questions regarding the following:
14                 (i)    Whether an incarcerated or detained individual
15          finds the library resources appropriately priced.
16                 (ii)    Whether an incarcerated or detained individual
17          feels that the individual has an appropriate amount of
18          time allotted for library use;
19   and be it further
20      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission submit a
21   report of its findings and recommendations to the House of
22   Representatives no later than one year from the adoption of this
23   resolution.




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