Page 28 - Auro Model Prison Activities

JAIL LIBRARY

➢ PEDAGOGY

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The jail library was inaugurated by the Hon’ble LG on 2 oct 2021. It was established
by Sri Aurobindo society with the coordinated efforts from the jail staff. The jail library is

accessible to both the convicts as well as the under trials.

Libraries are important not only during the term of a prisoner's incarceration but also

when the prisoner is released back into society. This is especially true of prisoners of who have
spent a long time being incarcerated, as public libraries offer beneficial services.

➢ OUTCOME

Prison library serve both prisoners and the public by helping to educate prisoners, reduce
recidivism, and improve family bonds through reading. In addition to educational

opportunities, prison libraries help prisoners have positive and meaningful contact with family.

Prison library provide a space for inmates to meet with others with common interests.

Many inmates utilize the library as a means of escape from the reality of their current situations.

➢ CASE STUDIES
• Sivanesan, the librarian shares how handling the responsibility of library has helped

him feel normal. He feels as if he has been able to escape the negative thoughts
crowding his mind as he has a real job inside the prison now which not only make him

feel satisfied but also connected to the outer world through the help of books.

• Pakirisamy expressed that he being an ex-headmaster was always fond of reading books
and it was one of the things that he really missed inside the jail. Having a proper library

has helped him to feel connected to his authentic self-inside the prison and also
provided him a purpose to wake up and look forward to the rest of the day.

Activities in the Central Prison, Kalapet 28 │ Page