The information needs and practices of Australian adult prisoners

This paper describes the findings of a research project conducted in six adult prisons New South Wales, Australia that sought to study information needs and seeking practices Australian prisoners. Through data gathered from 106 prisoner surveys, identifies prisoners across domains: legal, education, spirituality, health, prison life, re-integration. For each domain, participants were asked identify their preferred source or sources eight possible sources: libraries, tablet devices, staff, family/friends, health services, television/radio, books etc. not library, other. The number nature unmet are also explored described. enables different behaviours female male prisoners, various security levels. finds significant level need lives all domains studied. Prisoners heavily reliant on likely be non-expert such as custodial other inmates, family friends attempt meet about critical issues ongoing legal matters health. similar for however differ, with being more have support than living minimum least spirituality-related compared classifications most seek regarding reintegration back into communities they plan release.