Frequently asked questions

This FAQ page addresses the most common questions about JSTOR access inside jails, prisons, and detention centers that we receive. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions. If you need help troubleshooting your current account, please see our Troubleshooting page.

• What is JSTOR?

  JSTOR is a digital library providing access to thousands of academic journals, books, and primary sources across various disciplines.

  • What is a digital library?

    A digital library, also known as an online library, digital repository, or digital collections, is an online database of digital objects, such as text files in PDF format, and images. JSTOR’s digital library also provides means for organizing, searching, and retrieving this content.

    • Who uses JSTOR in correctional settings?

      While students in higher education make up the majority of our users, JSTOR Access in Prison is also used by GED/High School students, CTE (Vocational) Students, and the general population. Correctional staff also use JSTOR, if your site includes that option.

      • What are the different access options for JSTOR in prison education programs?

        JSTOR offers an online version for facilities with internet connectivity and an offline version for facilities without access to the internet.

        • What is mediated JSTOR?

          The mediated version of JSTOR is only available to correctional facilities. Mediated JSTOR allows jails and prisons to offer JSTOR to people in their custody while ensuring the content meets media review requirements.

          • What is in mediated JSTOR?

            The same scholarly material and primary sources available on JSTOR are available on the mediated version–except shared collections and the images in Artstor.

            • Does JSTOR offer a version with pre-screened content for jails and prisons?

              JSTOR allows each jail/prison system to select its own content. Some systems pre-approve the entire archive, while preserving the ability to restrict access to content at any time if it doesn’t meet the facility’s media review guidelines. Other facilities approve on a per-article basis as students request them, and gradually build their academic library that way.

              • How many people use JSTOR?

                In addition to the millions of college faculty and students who use JSTOR around the world, over one million people who are currently incarcerated across 1,450+ sites in 23 countries are actively using JSTOR.

                • Which states are using JSTOR Access in Prison?

                  JAIP operates in all 50 states either offline or online. JSTOR Access in Prison is also in 23 countries worldwide.

                  • Which state utilizes JSTOR inside jails and prisons the most?

                    We don’t compare usage across states, as different states implement JSTOR differently. Some states make it available to everyone, some limit it to higher education students, and some provide access to anyone enrolled in any type of education. The states that allow their entire population to use the mediated version of JSTOR see the greatest benefit for the people in their custody.

                    • Does JSTOR Access in Prison meet fedRAMP requirements?

                      Yes. All JSTOR Access in Prison servers are fedRAMP certified and have passed multiple Department of Homeland Security audits.

                      • Have students ever used JSTOR to reach the internet?

                        No. Pep.jstor.org is a self-contained site that does not link to any site outside of that domain. All content is located on pep.jstor.org.

                        • Do you meet disability accessibility requirements?

                          The online version of JSTOR Access in Prison is ADA-compliant. JSTOR applies WCAG and Section 508 standards to improve the user experience for everyone.

                          • My school doesn’t have JSTOR. Can we still use JSTOR access in the prison?

                            Yes.

                            • What are the technical requirements for enabling online access to JSTOR in jails, prisons or detention centers?

                              For the online mediated version, a facility must have an internet connection and you must know your external IP address or range of addresses (we can work with your IT staff and/or vendors to determine this). Pep.jstor.org must also be added to the network’s allowed list (sometimes known as ‘whitelisting’).

                              • How does JSTOR ensure its platform cannot be used as a gateway to unrestricted internet browsing?

                                The user cannot inject scripts, all external hyperlinks are disabled, and there are no shortcuts to social media sites. All content is hosted at pep.jstor.org, so content retrieval doesn’t require a hop to any external sites.

                                • Does JSTOR provide laptops, desktops or tablets?

                                  JSTOR does not provide hardware, though we can assist correctional institutions with hardware selection/implementation.

                                  • What kind of devices are required to support JSTOR access in a correctional facility?

                                    A laptop, desktop, or tablet device is required for both online and offline versions.

                                    • How does JSTOR handle content deemed inappropriate or harmful in a prison setting?

                                      JSTOR provides tools for the administrators and designated reviewers at each facility or prison system to implement their sites’ media review policies. The content in JSTOR is prosocial and academic. JSTOR itself does not moderate content. Less than .01% of content has been rejected because it did not meet media guidelines.

                                      • How can I introduce my students inside to JSTOR? Does JSTOR provide help students develop research and digital skills?

                                        Incorporating the basics of information literacy into the syllabus is often helpful for students new to self-directed research. We provide a Welcome/Onboarding kit with essential tips for administrators, educators, and communications with users at your site. These are written in accessible language for people new to research or who may be at different points in their education.

                                        • How can higher education programs in prisons without internet access request offline access to JSTOR content?

                                          Contact us to review your options.

                                          • Does JSTOR collect user data?

                                            We do not collect data from individual users. We monitor aggregate usage in order to maintain and improve the platform.

                                            • Can a person access JSTOR post-release?

                                              Yes. If a student has a school-issued email address and the institution offers alumni access. In addition, JSTOR offers JPASS, individual plans for short- and long-term research access.

                                              • Which disciplines are included?
                                                JSTOR Access in Prison includes 73 disciplines:

                                                • African American Studies
                                                • African Studies
                                                • American Indian Studies
                                                • American Studies
                                                • Anthropology
                                                • Aquatic Sciences
                                                • Archaeology
                                                • Architecture & Architectural History
                                                • Art & Art History
                                                • Asian Studies
                                                • Astronomy
                                                • Bibliography
                                                • Biological Sciences
                                                • Botany & Plant Sciences
                                                • British Studies
                                                • Business
                                                • Chemistry
                                                • Classical Studies
                                                • Communication Studies
                                                • Criminology & Criminal Justice
                                                • Development Studies
                                                • Developmental & Cell Biology
                                                • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
                                                • Economics
                                                • Education

                                                • Engineering
                                                • Environmental Science
                                                • Feminist & Women’s Studies
                                                • Film Studies
                                                • Finance
                                                • Folklore
                                                • General Science
                                                • Geography
                                                • Geology
                                                • Health Policy
                                                • Health Sciences
                                                • History
                                                • History of Science & Technology
                                                • Horticulture
                                                • International Relations
                                                • Irish Studies
                                                • Jewish Studies
                                                • Labor & Employment Relations
                                                • Language & Literature
                                                • Latin American Studies
                                                • Law
                                                • Library Science
                                                • Linguistics
                                                • Management & Organizational Behavior
                                                • Marketing & Advertising

                                                • Mathematics
                                                • Middle East Studies
                                                • Music
                                                • Paleontology
                                                • Peace & Conflict Studies
                                                • Performing Arts
                                                • Philosophy
                                                • Physics
                                                • Political Science
                                                • Population Studies
                                                • Psychology
                                                • Public Health
                                                • Public Policy & Administration
                                                • Religion
                                                • Research Reports
                                                • Slavic Studies
                                                • Social Work
                                                • Sociology
                                                • Statistics
                                                • Technology
                                                • Transportation Studies
                                                • Urban Studies
                                                • Zoology
                                                • What are the “safe” disciplines to approve?

                                                  Every site has a different risk tolerance, but the disciplines that are most often pre-approved are:

                                                  • Astronomy
                                                  • Aquatic Science
                                                  • Economics
                                                  • Law
                                                  • Mathematics
                                                  • Music
                                                  • Psychology
                                                  • Religion
                                                  • Research Reports
                                                  • Social Work
                                                  • Sociology
                                                  • Statistics
                                                  • Zoology
                                                  • How do I add/remove a reviewer?

                                                    The site administrator is the only one outside of the JSTOR support staff that can add or remove reviewers. If you have further questions, visit our Troubleshooting page.