Maryland Correctional Education Libraries
Fact Sheet

 

Prison Demographics

• Maryland has approximately 24,000 adults incarcerated in state prisons. Each prisoner has 2.5 (60,000) school aged children in the public school system.

• Each year, The Division of Correction releases nearly 15,000 inmates back to the community.

• Approximately 24% is incarcerated for a drug related offense.

• Approximately 60% of inmates are high school dropouts.

• Approximately 1,300 prisoners are females.

• Age ranges from 12 persons under 17 years old to 285 persons over 60 years old.

• The average age is 34 years.


Library Service

• There are 13 major Correctional libraries and 5 satellites across the state. These Libraries operate as the Community Information, life long learning, and leisure reading centers. In 2005 LSTA funds were used to enhance our collection for non English Speaking, older, and hearing impaired inmates.

• The service descriptions were translated into Spanish.

• Each major library is staffed by a librarian with an MLS who is a one person manager, responsible for reader’s advisory, collection management, reference service, and programs.

• Generally, the libraries are closed when the librarian is on leave. With retirements or resignations, libraries operate part time until we appoint a full time librarian.

Library Statistics for FY 07

Collection Books Videos DVDs Audiobooks	106,297 473 66 379	o
No. of Visits to library	209,363	o
Circulation Books Magazines	171,742 129,160	o
Reference Questions General Legal	71,839 85,526	o
Legal Citations Requested	52,314	o
MARINA requests	237	MARINA received - 104
Intra-library loan received	70	Intra-library loan received 28

 

For information contact:
MD Correctional Education Libraries 410-767-0493
E-mail: gshirley@msde.state.md.us