Nearly 7,500 people each year, on average, return to their communities after serving Washington state prison sentences, according to Department of Corrections (DOC) data for the last decade. Many of them face numerous challenges as they re-enter society, including establishing financial stability, reliable housing and transportation, and access to community resources, such as their local public library.

Washington currently has 378 public libraries statewide. Public libraries offer informational and educational programs that can help formerly incarcerated people successfully transition back into the community, including access to the internet, health and social services, and job-search and skills training.

Recently released inmates, however, are often reluctant to enter a library out of concern they might have to disclose their past when applying for a library card, especially if a DOC card is the only form of identification they possess.

For Washington State Library (WSL), a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, it is critical to help people who have paid their debts to society make a seamless transition to freedom, and to deliver practical solutions to help enable people to live more fulfilling lives.

In 2016, Gov. Jay Inslee prompted state and local agencies to collaborate on improving outcomes for people re-entering society. The State Library’s Institutional Library Services (ILS) — which has operated libraries in state correctional facilities for more than half a century — partnered with the DOC and public libraries to register people preparing to re-enter society for library cards with their local libraries before they are released.

This ILS initiative encourages participating community libraries to provide prison librarians with physical library cards for inmates as they prepare for release to their home communities. WSL registers the patrons with the respective community library’s website and issues a library card. The patrons can use it upon release without having to contact or visit the library to set up an account.

The prison libraries also provide patrons with information about community libraries’ services and help local libraries alert their patrons to other useful resources. Each local library shares information about its offerings with WSL, which recommends specific resources to meet each patron’s individual needs and interests.

All participating public libraries maintain patron confidentiality, which helps reduce any stigma a patron may feel re-entering society.

Today, nine public libraries and library systems work closely with the Office of the Secretary of State to open their doors to former inmates and offer free, unfettered access to vital community resources. The Washington State Library is grateful for the opportunity to partner with these libraries and their leadership to bring a world of imagination and lifelong learning to people who are formerly incarcerated. To date, ILS and its partner libraries have activated nearly 300 patron cards for people preparing to re-enter communities.

This is among several WSL initiatives to support people who are incarcerated and their re-entry into society.

• In 2022, ILS opened the first library in a state juvenile rehabilitation facility at Echo Glen Children’s Center in Snoqualmie. Within the first month, 92% of residents checked out materials. The state Legislature just approved funding for a library at a second state juvenile rehabilitation center in Chehalis.
• WSL is working on expanding civics curricula for adult inmates so they have the resources to vote when their franchise has been restored.
• The DOC is now allowing role-playing games at their institutional libraries. Studies have shown that role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons can enhance social and emotional learning.

The Washington State Library and Office of the Secretary of State developed these initiatives to empower formerly incarcerated individuals to enhance their quality of life, which can help reduce recidivism and strengthen communities. Washington’s public libraries look forward to being part of these community members’ support systems.

Through the power of libraries, Washington State Library connects Washingtonians to their history by supporting quality education, literacy and reading, and lifetime learning. Programs include the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library for people unable to read standard print, and Institutional Library Services in partnership with correctional facilities and adult psychiatric hospitals.