LIBRARY E-340 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: LIBRARY SERVICES NO: E-340
FILE: LIBRARY
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07-10-89 REVISED: 08-06-90, 07-01-94, 12-25-94, 10-01-97, 11-01-98,
03-01-99, 05-01-99, 01-01-01, 11-01-02, 05-01-05,
08-01-08, 10-24-11, 05-28-14
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Section 1064.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain a method of providing library service
for all inmates in custody, which shall include access to legal reference materials, current
information on community services and resources, and religious, educational and
recreational reading material.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division to provide all inmates in
custody with access to library services.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that the quantity and
appropriateness of any materials distributed by the Programs Unit staff shall be determined
by the Jail Programs & Services Bureau Commander.
PROCEDURES:
I. RECREATIONAL, RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL READING MATERIAL
A. Recreational reading material shall be made available to every inmate.
1. Paperback books are placed on library service carts which are
available inside each gymnasium.
2. Inmates may borrow the books and take them to their cells, providing
they return the books once they have been read.
3. Inmates shall have no more than five (5) paperback books (from any
source) in their possession at one time.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: LIBRARY SERVICES NO: E-340
FILE: LIBRARY
4. Inmates with more than five (5) paperback books in their possession
may have the paperback books confiscated and/or returned to the
library service cart.
5. An inmate may request to put any personal paperback books in their
property if the amount exceeds the limit allowed.
B. Religious reading material is available from the facility Religious Services
staff, via an Inmate Request Form.
C. Educational reading material and reading material concerning community
services and resources are available by contacting the Offender Programs
Unit, via an Inmate Request Form.
II. INMATES IDENTIFIED AS DISABLED OR ILLITERATE
A. The ADA Coordinator will coordinate with Offender Programs staff to
ensure reasonable accommodations are made for inmates who are
illiterate or who are physically incapable of reading, which may include, but
is not limited to, enlarged print materials, identification of desired materials,
and assistance in reading and scribing forms. All staff members shall
assist in completing Inmate Request Forms, if such an inmate requests
assistance.
B. An audio headset and assortment of audio tapes, including an inmate
orientation recording as well as recreational reading tapes, are available
from the Offender Programs Unit. A designated staff member will provide
the inmate with the audio tape equipment, inform them of the resources
available and explain the process by which the inmate can access the
resources.
C. Offender Programs staff will assist in procuring reading materials for non-
English and non-Spanish speaking inmates.
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