Prison Libraries Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7247
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T08:07:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 aims to create a federal grant program to fund library services in prisons. The goal is to help people who are incarcerated by providing access to books, educational programs, and related resources, which should support their reintegration into society, lower the chances of returning to crime (recidivism), and expand learning opportunities.
Key Provisions
- Program Setup: The U.S. Attorney General must start the grant program within one year of the law's enactment. Grants go to states or U.S. territories that apply and meet requirements.
- Eligibility for Grants: Applicants (states or territories) must submit:
- A detailed plan for using the funds, including goals, how the program will work, and how success will be measured.
- Evidence of an existing prison library or plans to build one.
- Data on the prison population, such as education levels, recidivism rates, and socioeconomic details, to show why funding is needed.
- Allowed Uses of Funds: Money can support a wide range of library-related activities, including:
- Buying books, eBooks, audiobooks, and accessible materials for those with disabilities.
- Providing computers, laptops, and internet access (within safety limits).
- Hiring qualified librarians and staff experienced in managing libraries, organizing events, and handling digital resources.
- Programs for education, job training, digital skills, career preparation, civic involvement, restorative justice (processes to repair harm caused by crime), health and wellness, arts (like writing or music), financial literacy, and family reading during visits.
- Improving library spaces to make them more open and welcoming, if safety allows.
- Partnering with local public libraries for shared resources, loans of materials, and joint events.
- Prohibited Uses: Funds cannot cover non-library items like food, clothing, medical care, transportation, general prison operations, or salaries unrelated to libraries. They also cannot fund required law libraries or facility maintenance outside libraries.
- Prioritization and Oversight: The Attorney General must favor applications that:
- Follow standard library guidelines.
- Include college-level education options.
- Show clear plans for benefits like higher literacy, more school enrollments, job skills, and post-release employment.
- Offer multiple programs for broad impact.
- Ensure grants are spread across different regions, including urban and rural areas.
- A reporting system tracks progress, results, and spending.
- Grant Duration and Reporting: Grants last one year and can be renewed up to six years total. Grantees must submit yearly reports on activities, outcomes (like library usage stats), and how money was spent.
- Conditions: Prisons cannot charge fees for library access, including books, digital materials, computers, printing, or supplies for learning/activities. Library spaces must be available for college programs.
- Consultation and Funding: The Attorney General must work with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (a federal agency supporting libraries). The law authorizes $10 million per year from fiscal year 2026 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal grant program specifically for prison libraries, which does not appear to amend or replace any prior laws. It adds a dedicated funding stream focused on educational and rehabilitative library services, separate from existing requirements for prison law libraries (which provide legal resources for inmates).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Justice (via the Attorney General) will manage the program, including applications, awards, and monitoring, potentially increasing administrative workload. States and territories may need to adjust prison budgets to match grants and report data.
- Citizens: Incarcerated individuals could gain better access to education, skills training, and cultural activities, potentially leading to lower recidivism rates and smoother reentry into communities. Families might benefit from programs like family literacy during visits.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. prisons in states and territories.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Incarcerated Individuals: Primary beneficiaries through expanded library access and programs aimed at personal growth and reduced recidivism.
- State and Territorial Governments/Correctional Facilities: Eligible for grants but must apply, plan, and report; they handle implementation in prisons.
- Librarians and Library Staff: Opportunities for hiring and roles in managing prison libraries and events.
- Educational and Community Organizations: Post-secondary schools, public libraries, and groups focused on justice reform can partner for programs, resource sharing, and events.
- Federal Agencies: Department of Justice oversees the program; Institute of Museum and Library Services provides expertise.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces free access to library resources without fees, which could strengthen claims under the First Amendment (right to free speech and access to information) or Eighth Amendment (protection against cruel and unusual punishment) by promoting rehabilitation in prisons. It separates library funds from mandatory law libraries to avoid overlap.
- Constitutional: Enhances educational equity for incarcerated people, aligning with court rulings (e.g., on access to reading materials) that view restrictions on knowledge as potentially unconstitutional.
- Political: Supports criminal justice reform by emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment, potentially appealing to bipartisan interests in reducing recidivism costs (estimated at billions annually). It promotes equity by requiring demographic data and diverse geographic funding, addressing disparities in underserved prison populations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
Cosponsors (36)
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-01-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Prison Libraries Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-27 — PDF (8 pages)