The information behaviours of maximum security prisoners

Cheryl Canning · Steven Buchanan

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Library Science and Administration Library Science and Information Literacy Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of the information behaviours of prisoners, providing insight into their information needs and information-seeking preferences, and the factors influencing their behaviours; to inform education and rehabilitation programmes. Design/methodology/approach The paper is an in-depth qualitative study. The theoretical framework was provided via Chatman’s (1996) concepts of information poverty. Participants were adult male prisoners in a Scottish maximum security prison, and prison staff. Data collection method was semi-structured interviews. Findings Prisoners have a broad range of information needs, many sensitive and many unmet. Interpersonal information sources are predominantly used due to a combination of natural preference and restricted access to other information sources. Issues of stigma and trust influence information behaviours. Further issues include restrictive social norms, and disinformation to incite violence. A significant degree of risk is therefore inherent within interpersonal information interactions, fostering self-protective acts of secrecy and deception amongst prisoners. Unmet emotional needs appear particularly problematic. Research limitations/implications The paper highlights the need for further research exploring issues of unmet emotional needs in prisoners; in particular, assistive methods of need recognition and support in the problematic context. Practical implications The paper identifies significant unmet information needs in prisoners that impact upon their ability to cope with incarceration, and prepare for successful release and reintegration. Originality/value The paper addresses an understudied group of significant societal concern and advances the understanding of information need in context, providing insight into unmet needs and issues of affect in the incarcerated small world context.

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References

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Cited by

2020Affective Factors in Human Information Behavior: A Conceptual Analysis of Interdisciplinary Research on Information Behavior 2020Information behaviour of prison inmates in Malawi 2023Information behaviour of prison inmates in Ghana 2022Exploring the early manifestation of information poverty in young children 2023A systematic review of information source preference research 2022Everyday Information Behavior of Marginalized Communities in the Global South: Informal Transportation as Example

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