Recreational materials like science fiction paperbacks and music cassettes are the most popular items in prison collections. However, many offenders are also interested in improving their lives. Many seek transformational experiences, creative writing outlets, ways to remain connected to the larger world around them and new skills like computer literacy to ease their transition back into community life. Many have trouble reading. Information professionals have a golden opportunity to address all these needs with current and future networking technologies.
Prisoners receive visitors and get mail from the outside.
Networking can also let prison librarians leverage their resources. Whatever is created in one location can be networked to other facilities via the Internet. The types of forums and multi-user domains available today and the virtual worlds of tomorrow can be disseminated instantly to other prisons around the world. The Present - Jurisdictions vary in the degree to which they currently use networking technologies in prison libraries. Because security is viewed as a manageable problem, some degree of Internet access for prisoners is envisioned for the future.