The League City Police Department has teamed up with League City’s Helen Hall Library and the Friends of Helen Hall Library (FHHL) to bring used books into the jail for prisoners to utilize. The program was coordinated by Lieutenant H.T. Lee who recently became the commander of the League City Jail. Lt. Lee worked with City of League City Librarian Jenny Brewer to acquire the donated books from the Friends of the Helen Hall Library bookstore located within the library.
League City Jail is a detention facility, transferring prisoners to the county jail within 24 hours if they are incarcerated for Class B and above offenses. However, offenders with Class C misdemeanor charges issued by League City police officers remain at the League City facility until bond is made, fines are paid or credit is received for time served.
Because the detention facility is intended for short-term housing, prisoners do not have access to exercise yards or other amenities that long-term facilities provide. “Providing a reading program gives the prisoners an activity that occupies their minds in the hopes they remain cooperative; however, it also encourages good behavior by providing an incentive. Once in our care, the safety of these men and women is our responsibility,” stated Lt. Lee.
The Friends of Helen Hall Library is a 501c3 volunteer organization supporting the Helen Hall Library. All funds raised are used for needed items within the Helen Hall Library. “By city ordinance, all donated or discarded books become the property of the Friends of the Helen Hall Library. When the police department approached us for assistance with the reading program, the bookstore was a natural fit to provide assistance,” said Jenny Brewer.