Reference Letters to Incarcerated Peoples

Project Title: Reference Letters to Incarcerated Peoples

Project Description: Over the course of the 2022 Spring semester we were assigned three reference letters written by people who are incarcerated which were provided by the New York Public Library Correctional Services program. We were expected to answer these questions using reliable, accurate, and digestible information which assumed that no further research could be conducted by the individual.

Methods: I conducted research on each question in the letters by critically analyzing different sources and then using those sources to create a response that was accessible and culturally competent. I had to utilize different methods of searching for information such as diversifying what kinds of sources I was viewing as well as examining sources from typical non-dominant media outlets.

My Role: I answered three reference questions written by incarcerated individuals by myself, with feedback from Professor Smith-Cruz on any edits that needed to be made before sending it back to the NYPL Correctional Services program.

Learning Outcome Achieved (primary): User-centered services

Rationale (primary): Accessibility to a diverse user community was one of the main aspects kept in mind while writing these reference letters. The incarcerated individuals who wrote the letters had no additional access to obtaining further information other than the response I wrote. Because of this, I had to consider what level of expertise the sources I chose assumed from the reader. The sources I ended up using in the reference letters had to be accessible and had to be as comprehensive as possible without losing sight of the main question.

Learning Outcome Achieved (secondary): Ethical/Creative/Critical practice

Rationale (secondary): This project required applying core ethical principles through the emphasis of cultural competency while choosing what sources to include based on the reference questions being asked. It was critical to select information sources that were ethical, provided accurate information on the subject, and were framed in a culturally responsible way. I had to work creatively with the rules imposed by the prison on format, length, and content.