The Ontario ministry that runs Toronto West and Toronto East detention centres said Friday it will talk to the John Howard Society about helping to run jail libraries for inmates.
A shortage of volunteers has meant prisoners at the two provincial jails have been able to get library books only sporadically for years.
Toronto East has been without a regular library volunteer for 16 years; Toronto West for the last two.
“The ministry is always interested in hearing more about any proposal that the John Howard Society has to offer for the provision of library services at the Toronto East and Toronto West Detention Centres,” said Brent Ross, spokesman for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
“If the Society wishes to provide those services free, we would encourage them to contact the volunteer co-ordinators at those institutions.”
John Howard executive director Greg Rogers said he has already made the offer — “and free” — and was looking forward to helping get the library carts moving.
Source: Toronto Star