Province restores library program at youth jail after ‘miscommunication’

Manitoba Corrections has reversed its decision to cancel a pop-up library program at the Manitoba Youth Centre.

The monthly program had been operating since 2024 in partnership with the province before Manitoba Corrections informed the Manitoba Library Association last month it would be shut down.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said Wednesday there was “some miscommunication” about the use of the space at the Manitoba Youth Centre.

“When it comes to kids, we want to make sure they have great opportunities, books to read, teachers to teach them, which make a real difference in the path forward,” he said at an unrelated news conference.

When the program was cancelled, the group was told it could still drop off books at the centre but volunteers were not allowed to enter. Previously, volunteer librarians would find books of interest for youth, dig up research for school assignments and offer literacy education.

A provincial spokesperson said Manitoba Corrections is looking at different options for how to incorporate the program within the facility’s space as well as scheduling, an email sent to the association’s Prison Libraries Committee said.

“Please know that the minister values librarians and in particular the Prison Libraries Committee’s efforts to teach some of Manitoba’s most vulnerable youth the reading and literacy skills they need as they grow into adulthood,” the spokesperson said.

Ashley Huot, chair of the committee, said she is pleased the province is restoring the program, saying it is vital for incarcerated youth to spend time with community members who aren’t correctional staff and develop reading interests and literacy skills.

“Our volunteers that regularly go in were so disappointed and and they’ll be very glad to have this back,” she said. “We’re also looking forward to being able to see the youth again and talk to them and we’d be curious to hear what they thought of the cancellation.”

While she’s glad the justice minister values the program, she said there’s often a disconnect from the priorities at the ministerial level and the reality of what happens within correctional facilities.

Huot said she hopes the restored program will spur the province to look at how to use the volunteer librarians to supplement existing education resources offered to inmates. Reading materials and learning resources are available in classrooms and common areas, along with teachers and educational assistants.

The province’s reversal also raises awareness about the need to support inmates with access to information, Huot said.

An official return date hasn’t been set and Huot expects to meet with corrections officials soon.

matthew.frank@winnipegfreepress.com