Media Release
24 February 2022
Libraries Tasmania delivers library services to inmates in the Risdon Prison complex through an onsite prison library in the Ron Barwick Minimum Security Prison. The Risdon Prison library collection will shortly receive a boost of 700 new books with an approximate value of $21,000. An additional 135 new books were also added during the last two months.
The collection has been revitalised to ensure it is relevant to user needs and contemporary library services.
The new books are a mix of fiction and non-fiction titles, including legal resources, classic and contemporary titles, and books to address a wide range of interests and literacy levels.
The collections are well used. Past borrowing activity has shown that:
- Crime, Thriller and Science Fiction/Fantasy are the three most popular fiction genres borrowed at the prison library.
- Non-fiction titles covering diverse topics including society, history, war, health, architecture and science are well used.
- Other formats such as DVDs, music and magazines are also very popular.
Key facts:
- Libraries Tasmania aims to provide an equitable and sustainable library service to Tasmanian prisoners, that meets their recreational, learning and literacy needs as well as supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration.
- Books and reading can play an important role in prisons, by providing both education and entertainment.
Communications and Marketing – 6165 6386 or 0417 465 669