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Dissertation Information for Aisha White

NAME:
- Aisha White

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Pittsburgh (USA) (2003)

ADVISORS:
- Margaret M. Kimmel

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Roger Flynn
- Edie Rasmussen
- Ellen Detlefsen
- Jack Lee Daniel

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

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

Abstract: This study explores the information use environment 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. 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 juxtaposed with seven information questions are; (1) What kinds of problems do the women inmates encounter on a daily basis? (2) How does the prison setting impact the women inmates' information behavior? (3) What is the criterion of information value employed by the women inmates? and, (4) To what degree does the information accessed solve the women inmates' problems?

The information issues are; (1) The "Chilling Effect", (2) The Prison Library, (3) Needs Vs. 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 inmate problems and a setting containing barriers to information. The research also showed that inmates value information from a variety of sources but primarily seek out counselors and other inmates for answers. While inmates felt bound by institutional policies and practices which hinder and sometimes prevent information acquisition and problem resolution, staff felt inmate behavior along with funding and space limitations greatly affected provision of services and problem solving.

MPACT Scores for Aisha White

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:25:07

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Students under Aisha White

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None