Prison Libraries Act of 2026
Congress Proposes $10M a Year in Grants to Expand Prison Libraries and Training Programs
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Congress would create a Justice Department grant program to help states and territories provide library services in prisons.
- Grant money could pay for books, eBooks, audiobooks, computers and internet in the library, plus classes like literacy, job skills, and digital skills.
- Funds could also support hiring qualified library staff and running programs like book groups, family literacy during visits, and career readiness.
- States would have to submit a detailed plan and data showing need, and report yearly on results and spending to keep funding.
- The bill would ban charging incarcerated people fees for library access and would limit funds to library-related costs only.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
ALA welcomes Prison Libraries Act
ALA praises the Prison Libraries Act, describing a DOJ grant program to expand prison library services, materials, staffing, and digital/career readiness programming.
Reps. Cleaver, Brown, and Foushee Introduce Prison Libraries Act to Reduce Recidivism and Expand Educational Opportunities for Incarcerated Americans
Announcement of the Prison Libraries Act reintroduction; outlines the DOJ competitive grant concept, allowable purchases, and program goals like reentry and education.
Reps. Foushee, Cleaver, and Brown Introduce Prison Libraries Act to Reduce Recidivism and Expand Educational Opportunities for Incarcerated Americans
Press release describing the Prison Libraries Act and proposed grant-funded prison library services, including books, technology, staffing, and programming.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Prison Libraries Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(23)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.