Books Free Inmates’ Minds : Reading: Juvenile Hall youths have grown to depend on ‘Library Lady’ Pam Carlson to keep them occupied and away from jail anxieties. But budget cuts could eliminate the service.

Jason rarely spent an afternoon reading a book for pleasure--until he landed in Juvenile Hall.

In the six months since then, the 15-year-old youth has read dozens of books while awaiting his trial for alleged attempted murder. Jason and about 60 other youths accused of felonies can hardly wait for Pam Carlson and her book cart to come every Friday.

Books, said Jason, “give me a different perspective on life.”

However, the County Board of Supervisors is considering cutting the program because of budget problems, a move that defenders of the popular program vow to fight.

“The program gives the kids positive direction,” said Bruce Malloy, administrative officer of the county Juvenile Justice Commission. “It helps with the rehabilitative process. If we don’t work with the kids at this stage, they’ll grow up to be criminals.”

He doesn’t have to convince Carlson, a county librarian who began bringing books to the young inmates last year in an effort to get them to read.

“I think it’s important for kids to be reading, period, no matter where they are,” she said.

Jason, who is reading “The Talismans of Shannara” by Terry Brooks, said the fantasy novel provides an escape from his troubles. Others read for the same reason.

“It makes time go a lot faster and takes you away from your problems,” said Tommy, 17, who is reading “Palomino” by Danielle Steele. “It even helps your head, your vocabulary, and you become educated.”

The last time Tommy read a book was in the fourth grade. “Now, I like to read,” he said. “Right after you finish a book, you feel good--like you did something good for a change.”

Although boosting self-esteem is an added incentive to wheel the 100 or more library books to Juvenile Hall each week, Carlson sets her goal to introduce literature to youths who otherwise would not read.

The students appreciate Carlson’s efforts. They say they don’t tear out pages or scribble in the books because they want Carlson to return. Many make requests for specific authors.

Favorites among the juvenile inmates include love poems and mystery novels, as well as how-to-draw art books, comics and college preparatory materials. Some request Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish language books.

George, 18, said he reads love poems to use as a guide when he writes to his girlfriend.

Others say they only read because they are bored.

Vernon, 17, said that reading keeps him occupied, but conceded that he probably won’t pick up another book once he is released.

“They don’t realize it, but they are improving their reading skills,” said Carlson, who is affectionately known as the library lady. “The books are doing something positive for them, and they don’t even know it.”

She said “Garfield” and “Far Side” comic books are requested every week. “Those books give the kids a light mood that eases their anxieties . . . and it’s kind of nice to sit down and maybe laugh once in a while.”

The students in Roger Miller’s security-risk classroom smile whenever they see Carlson coming, Miller said. “I don’t require these kids to read but they do, and that keeps the learning going. They really like the library lady because she brings a product they want.”

Carlson didn’t know what kind of response she would get when she began the program.

“I’m sure a lot of people thought the kids wouldn’t respond, but they do,” she said. “They even recommend books to each other. I had hoped it would be positive, and it has been.”

Carlson, the winner of a 1991 Orange County Woman of Achievement award, intends to continue providing books for the juvenile inmates, even if she can only bring them once or twice a month because of possible budget cuts.

“It’s not a program that anyone wants to cut,” Carlson said.

And teachers at Juvenile Hall don’t want to lose the service, either.

Margaret Puffer, a mentor teacher who was responsible for opening a library at the hall, said the security-risk inmates Carlson brings books for aren’t allowed to visit the library because it would mean going outside, which they aren’t permitted to do.

“That’s why we have Pam,” Puffer said. “And having her come has made such a difference to them. They feel like they’re worth it instead of feeling like losers and that nothing good will ever happen to them. The program really is sort of precious and special to them.”