For individuals who are incarcerated, accessing legal documents and information is often difficult, if not impossible. While law libraries located in facilities and tablets that provide access to Westlaw and LexisNexis are typically the first stop, these resources are limited. When materials are unavailable—or when navigating them requires additional expertise—individuals who are incarcerated often turn to law librarians in state, academic, and county libraries for assistance. Providing this support, however, is far from straightforward. Correctional policies and security restrictions often slow down or block access to critical legal resources. Communication barriers compound these challenges, as most patrons who are incarcerated cannot call libraries directly, and all requests must be handled via mail, stretching timelines and making it extremely difficult to convey or clarify complex legal questions and information. In addition, many law libraries face capacity constraints, along with a lack of training and information about how to effectively serve patrons in carceral facilities.

This session at the American Library Association Annual Conference will present findings from recent research in this area, including results from a new national survey of law librarians serving patrons who are incarcerated—highlighting both challenges and emerging best practices—as well as findings from a survey of incarcerated individuals nationwide that documents their access to legal resources and unmet needs. The panel will also feature perspectives from formerly incarcerated “jailhouse lawyers,” who will share their experiences as legal advocates and experts. Together, panelists Tammy Ortiz, Diane Rodriguez, Julia Mizutani, Jhody Polk, and Darren Breeden will discuss opportunities for the broader library community to strengthen access to the law for incarcerated patrons.