FOSTPL Delivers Books to St. Thomas Prisoners

August 1, 2009: As part of its participation in the American Library Association (ALA)'s "Behind the Walls @ Your Library" initiative, the Friends of St. Thomas Public Libraries (FOSTPL) continues its efforts in support of libraries, including those within the corrections system. Recently, FOSTPL board member and past President JJ Estemac assembled a collection of recycled books from the organization's book depot that were designated for delivery to the the Alva Swan Corrections Annex.

With limited avenues for intellectual stimulation, inmates often succumb to boredom and hopelessness while serving out their terms. FOSTPL believes that books can help provide imaginative recreation and humor, as well as vocational and academic outlets. More opportunities to read provide for the ability to increase comprehension and vocabulary. It is hoped that these and other factors will combine to help support re-integration into our communities.

FOSTPL also heartily supports recent launch of "Beyond the Walls thru a Bookmobile", by The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Division of Libraries, Archives & Museums, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, Bureau of Corrections and the Office of the Governor. The pilot program encompasses St. Thomas and St. Croix, utilizes both island's respective bookmobiles. Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. was quoted in a press release marking the program's inception, "Over 2 million prisoners are housed in U.S. state prisons, federal prisons, and detention centers. At some point, 95% of state prisoners will return to the community, thus, becoming part of approximately 5 million adult men and women probationers or parolees integrated into society. Similar to the National statistics, most of the individuals that commit crime in the Territory will return into the community."

Find out more about this program from the American Library Association

Read the St. Thomas Daily News article o Prison Pilot Program