Bookmobile Prison Pilot Program Launched

March 20, 2009: 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 launched a pilot program which will includes both islands, utilizing the St. Thomas and the St. Croix bookmobiles. The pilot, "Beyond the Walls thru a Bookmobile," is a joint educational rehabilitation initiative and an effort to reduce recidivism. The pilot project began on St. Thomas Wednesday, March 18 when the DPNR bookmobile made its first visit to the Alva Swan Corrections Annex at 9:30 a.m. The bookmobile remained at the prison annex for two hours.

"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," Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. said Tuesday.

In view of the importance of education and other critical services for a successful re-entry, it is important to provide educational avenues and resources for inmates as they prepare to return to society. Prison libraries and the utilization of bookmobiles that visit prisons are such examples of important contributions to this special population. Many potential explosive situations can be deterred by using library resources to combat idleness and boredom. The national American Library Association (ALA) has encouraged libraries nationwide to serve this population with "Behind the Walls @ Your Library" initiatives through its Office of Literacy and Outreach Services.

According to the Governor, the St. Croix and St. Thomas bookmobiles will introduce the inmate participants to the vast library resources that are available, which would encourage and promote reading, literacy, self-help and lifelong learning. "The inmates will also receive library cards, an orientation of the bookmobile services, and will be able to check out books. Pending the pilot's success, bookmobile service will continue to the prisons on both islands."

For more information, visit Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr.'s website

Find out more about this program from the American Library Association

Read the St. Thomas Daily News article