All SIS doctoral students and faculty are invited to the DLIS  Doctoral Colloquium.

When: Friday January 23, 12 noon - 1 pm
Where: 1st Floor Conference Room, IS Building
Who: Aisha White

Title: The information use environment within a women's correctional facility: an instrumental case study

Abstract: This study explores the information use environment of women in prison through a case study of the State Correctional Institution at Muncy, in Pennsylvania. The study utilizes the information use environment (IUE) framework which examines the flow of information into, within, and out of a particular setting, and the people, their problems, solutions, and the value they assign to information in that setting. Corrections and library and information science research are appraised in order to understand the issue.

Data is collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with prison staff and female inmates. Surveys were collected prior to selection of inmate respondents and, although not proposed as a method of inquiry, observations were made during on-site visits to the institution. Document analysis is guided by four elements: history, domain, structure/style, and information access. Interview data is interpreted via the four research questions juxtaposed with seven information issues created by the researcher. The research questions are; 1) What kinds of problems do the women encounter on a daily basis? 2) How does the prison setting impact the women's information behavior? 3) What is the criterion of information value employed by the women? and, 4) To what degree does the information accessed solve the women's problems? The information issues are; 1) The "Chilling Effect", 2) The Prison Library, 3) Needs Versus Information, 4) Misinformation and the Inmate Underground, 5) Imprisonment, Information, and "Agency", 6) Problem Dimensions and Information Literacy: a. General Education, b. Ethno linguistic Minorities, and 7) Medical Care Crises.

The research revealed multiple problems and a setting containing barriers to information. The research also showed that inmates value information from a variety of sources but primarily counselors and other inmates. Inmates also felt bound by institutional policies and practices, which often hinder and sometimes prevent problem resolution.