Federal Funding for Libraries Helps Reduce Recidivism

Despite declining crime rates, the United States continues to incarcerate more people per capita than any other democracy, with nearly 2 million individuals held in prisons, local jails, and detention centers.

While low literacy does not directly predict an individual’s likelihood of committing a crime, there is a well-established link between low literacy, dropout rates, and criminal behavior. 

According to the National Adult Literacy Survey, 70% of all incarcerated adults cannot read at a fourth-grade level. While, 85% of justice involved youths are considered functionally low literate. 

Incarcerated juveniles are significantly less likely to finish high school which increases their risk of incarceration later in life. High school dropouts also face less economic opportunity than their graduating peers, and are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested over the course of their life.

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How Literacy Reduces Recidivism

Along with high rates of incarceration, the U.S. also has a high rate of recidivism - when a person reenters the justice system after they have been released. 

Education and literacy programs within prisons help to reduce recidivism. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, people incarcerated who participated in an educational program were 43% less likely to return to prison within three years of release than those who did not participate.

Educational programs are associated with better behavior within correctional facilities, higher self-esteem for program participants, and increased job opportunities once released. 

The Administration’s recent actions

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the primary source of funding for state library agencies. States administer these funds to libraries across their state, including prison libraries, contributing to staffing, materials, and educational programming. Following an executive order, the Administration has put all IMLS employees on administrative leave, putting funding at risk. 

As state funding is suspended, prison library funding will also see cuts. The following two institutions are already feeling the effects of this administration's actions.

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Washington State Library

Washington uses a portion of its IMLS funds to support libraries within eight of the eleven state correctional facilities. In the beginning of April, federal funding was abruptly stopped, leaving the institutions unable to cover staffing costs for the month. If funding doesn’t restart branches will likely see a reduction of staff and re-entry services. 

Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)

Illinois awarded a $420,000 grant to the Department of Corrections to purchase library materials and develop services at 28 state corrections facilities in an effort to increase literacy and reduce recidivism. Following the Administration’s announcement, the IDOC grant and all federal funding to Illinois libraries are in jeopardy. 

What Now

Visit SaveIMLS.org and call your representative to tell them you support federal funding for all libraries.