Volunteer pop-up library axed from Manitoba Youth Centre

Manitoba Corrections has cancelled a pop-up library program at the Manitoba Youth Centre, leaving inmates without librarian services and fewer options to borrow certain books.

The Prison Libraries Committee, part of the non-profit Manitoba Library Association, operated and funded the volunteer program since 2024 before it was shut down by the province last month. The group previously partnered with the province to offer the service because the facility has no dedicated library of its own.

“It is concerning that community members who are incarcerated, especially youth, are losing out on meaningful programming, access to information and rehabilitation efforts, which are offered at no cost to (Manitoba) Corrections. We urge Manitoba Justice to promote more library services and programming, not less,” said a Sept. 24 letter from the non-profit addressed to the justice minister.

Ashley Huot, chair of the Prison Libraries Committee, said she was puzzled when she received an email last month from Manitoba Corrections stating that the pop-up library was no longer needed.

She said the Manitoba Youth Centre had previously asked for the once-a-month program to be offered more often because the youth enjoyed it. Volunteer librarians would find books of interest for youth, dig up research for school assignments and be a safe space, she said.

While the group is still able to drop off crates of books, the volunteers can no longer enter the facility to help inmates with book requests or research help.

“Books on a shelf are not the same as trying to create something similar to an actual library. We’ve always wanted more than the pop-up library and now we’re moving in the wrong direction,” Huot said Friday.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe wasn’t available for an interview Friday. Provincial spokesperson Andrew Chapman said in an email statement that Manitoba Youth Centre inmates have access to “more robust and fleshed out supports than ever before.”

Reading materials and learning resources are available in classrooms and common areas, he said. He would not say why the library program was cancelled.

A provincial spokesperson said in an email that correctional facilities in Manitoba do not employ staff librarians.

Michael Wienrath, professor emeritus of criminal justice at the University of Winnipeg, said he was baffled as to why the province would cancel the volunteer program. He said outside agencies are crucial for helping inmates and noted many incarcerated youth do not have a full education.

Manitoba’s 2024 public safety strategy aimed to improve literacy in corrections by expanding library and education programs to help reintegration. Wienrath said cancelling the program contradicts the strategy.

”I don’t really understand why they would cut the library program when clearly it advances their overall goals of trying to improve inmate literacy,” he said.

Last year, Manitoba’s auditor general called for improved, targeted programming to help inmates reintegrate.

In his March 2025 report, Tyson Shtykalo said group programming, education and work opportunities for inmates were limited. He also found little evidence of inmates being connected to outside resources while locked up.

Manitoba’s advocate for children and youth called on the province to reverse its decision because many children don’t have access to library resources in their communities.

“I can’t fathom why the province would cut a program that comes at no cost to them, and it serves to enhance the lives of young people in Manitoba, especially in the youth centre,” said Sherry Gott.

matthew.frank@freepress.mb.ca