Books Behind Bars: The Role of Books, Reading, and Libraries in British Prison Reform, 1701-1911

(Hardback)

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Description

This is a study of the role of books and libraries in British prisons during the period of penal reforms between 1700 and 1911. Janet Fyfe discusses the role of groups and individuals who advanced the ideology of reform as well as those who were actively engaged in bringing reading material into the jails and prisons of Great Britain. Perhaps Fyfe's most valuable contribution to the field is her bibliography of primary sources; these include a wealth of official reports, government publications, books and pamphlets spanning the two centuries covered in her investigation of prison libraries. She examines the extent that different penal institutions and systems - including not only local jails and national prisons but also convict settlements and the hulks - came to adopt the use of books and libraries and their rationales for doing so. The author documents in detail how prison library services were organized, how they were administered and funded, how books were selected, and what consideration was given to the preference of inmates.

Reviews

All of these, she suggests, support the idea that in this setting, books were effective agents of social change.-Wilson Library Bulletin
In summary, the book is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is valuable for anyone interested in the fundamental problems and struggles that occured during the evolution of educating prisoners in England's penal institutions. The book is also extremely useful to the social scientist because it shows how changing beliefs and values in English society impact upon a specific institution.-History of Reading News
This book contains vast amounts of information exceptionally well organized and compact. The author is masterful in her ability to make meaningful connections among the myria facts and themes unearthed by her research. He flowing narrative style syncopated with prisoners' sometimes salty anecdotes -- make this book entertaining to read and easy to follow. Those interested in penal institution, literacy, correctional libraries and librarianship in a large social context will find this work invaluable.-Journal of Information Communication and Library Science
"All of these, she suggests, support the idea that in this setting, books were effective agents of social change."-Wilson Library Bulletin
"In summary, the book is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is valuable for anyone interested in the fundamental problems and struggles that occured during the evolution of educating prisoners in England's penal institutions. The book is also extremely useful to the social scientist because it shows how changing beliefs and values in English society impact upon a specific institution."-History of Reading News
"This book contains vast amounts of information exceptionally well organized and compact. The author is masterful in her ability to make meaningful connections among the myria facts and themes unearthed by her research. He flowing narrative style syncopated with prisoners' sometimes salty anecdotes -- make this book entertaining to read and easy to follow. Those interested in penal institution, literacy, correctional libraries and librarianship in a large social context will find this work invaluable."-Journal of Information Communication and Library Science

Author Bio

JANET FYFE is Professor at the School of Library and Informations Science, Elborn College, University of Western Ontario.