Research Guides: Spotlight: Correctional Library Services

Correctional Library Services

Kucerack, I. (2021). The Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre [Online Image]. Fort Saskatchewan Record.

Correctional centres, also known as correctional facilities, are used to hold individuals for sentences up to two years. Those serving a sentence of longer than two years serve their sentences in Correctional Service of Canada facilities. In Alberta, there are eight correctional and remand centers, including the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre. The NorQuest College Library has collaborated with FSCC to provide services and programming for local incarcerated learners.

These Services Include:

The Book Vault

Serving 612 learners in the last academic year, the book vault has been curated to provide inclusive library services and programming, with the intention of encouraging personal growth and life-long learning. The Book Vault is a partnership between Correctional Education and Library Services, allowing the circulation of 1893 unique items in 2024-2025. This is an increase of 366 items from the 2023-2024 school year.

Freedom to Read Week

In partnership with the Learner Center and Print and Design, the Book Vault was also able to celebrate Freedom to Read, with promotional materials, a book display, and a special author visit. In February 2025, acclaimed Metis poet, Marilyn Dumont, visited FSCC to lead a poetry workshop to a group of 20 women.

Light Fires Creative Writing

In fall 2025, the Book Vault is planning to partner with Light Fires and University of Alberta to offer an 8-week Inspired Minds Creative Writing workshop on campus at FSCC. This, however, is only the beginning of the services FSCC provides for its incarcerated learners.

Other Programming and Services:

JSTOR Offline Database

In an effort to improve access of information and the development of incarcerated students' research and information literacy skills, computers on campus at FSCC have been installed with the JSTOR Offline Database. This offers students a way to research internet-free, and provides access to over 500,000 scholarly (academic) articles. As part of this pilot project, research instruction is offered by NorQuest College Librarians.

Fun fact: FSCC is the first correctional institution in all of Canada to implement this database. Looking towards the future, FSCC is working on figuring out how JSTOR Offline could be incorporated into classes and workshops during the 2025-2026 year.

Edmonton Remand Centre Women's Annex

While this service was unfortunately short-lived, in 2024-2025, library services expanded to include Edmonton Remand Centre Women's Annex at Edmonton Young Offenders Centre. It had to be discontinued due to the closure of the Women's Annex, leading to approximately a third of the collection being donated to a local women's shelter. FSCC has since been able to absorb the rest into their own collection.

Book Clubs for Inmates

As an attempt to create sustainable programming, FSCC partnered with Book Clubs for Inmates, a registered charity that organizes volunteer-led book clubs within Canadian prisons. The library technician on site, Camille Bultena facilitated the creation of an ongoing men's book club that meet regularly.

To find out more about the services provided for incarcerated learners, please contact Camille at: Camille.Bultena@norquest.ca