A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes an Office of Prison Education within the Bureau of Prisons to oversee and improve educational programs across all Federal correctional facilities. It creates a Federal Prison Education Program to partner with eligible providers to deliver adult literacy, high school education, postsecondary degrees, and workforce training. The legislation also sets up a nationwide clearinghouse for research and best practices regarding prison education for both Federal and State institutions. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide outreach and connect incarcerated veterans with educational assistance and counseling. Finally, it allocates $170,000,000 from amounts appropriated to the Bureau of Prisons for fiscal years 2027 through 2033 to carry out the program.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
The creation of the Federal Prison Education Program directly turns incarcerated individuals into students with access to adult basic education, high school diplomas, and postsecondary credentials.
- Scored +6
Does this make college cost less?
The bill expands access to postsecondary education and career programs for incarcerated individuals through structured provider partnerships.
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The legislation specifically mandates that correctional education services include expanded and tailored opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Quality Education and Training Programs: Under Section 4 of the bill (adding new 18 U.S.C. 4142(c) and 4143), the Office of Prison Education and the Federal Prison Education Program ensure that incarcerated individuals in all Federal facilities have access to adult literacy, basic skills development, high school diplomas, postsecondary education, workforce development, pre-apprenticeships, and career and technical education. This is positive because it helps prepare individuals for the contemporary workforce and supports successful community reintegration.
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Support and Resources for Incarcerated Veterans: Under Section 7, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Director and State correctional agencies, must conduct outreach to inform incarcerated veterans about educational assistance, connect them to quality prison education programs, provide financial aid counseling, and supply a resource guide for post-release education and job placement. This is positive because it directly helps veterans utilize benefits they have earned to further their education and career prospects.
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Post-Release Guidance and Counseling: Under Section 4 (adding new 18 U.S.C. 4143(c)(2)), participating education providers must offer released students academic advising, financial aid counseling, career counseling, and job placement assistance. This is positive because it helps individuals successfully transition back into society and find employment after release.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restriction on Veterans' Financial Benefits During Incarceration: Under Section 7(b)(1), an incarcerated veteran with a felony conviction is prohibited from receiving any monthly housing stipend or subsistence allowance while incarcerated. This could be considered a burden or negative consequence for the individual because it withholds specific financial support payments while they are serving time, even if they are pursuing education.
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Reduction of Educational Assistance Based on Other Funding: Under Section 7(b)(2), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must reduce the amount of educational assistance provided to an incarcerated veteran for tuition, fees, supplies, books, and equipment by an amount equal to any costs paid by another Federal, State, or local program. This is a negative consequence for the veteran because it prevents them from receiving full duplicate funding from multiple government sources for the same educational expenses.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The creation of the Federal Prison Education Program directly turns incarcerated individuals into students with access to adult basic education, high school diplomas, and postsecondary credentials. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The legislation specifically mandates that correctional education services include expanded and tailored opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Incarcerated individuals, who frequently come from low-income backgrounds, receive critical educational and employment training that aids future economic stability. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged incarcerated individuals gain access to adult literacy, diploma programs, and workforce development. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults who make up a significant portion of the correctional population will benefit directly from expanded educational programs. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Section 7 provides dedicated outreach, educational guidance, and resource connections specifically tailored for incarcerated veterans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Section 4 explicitly mandates expanded educational opportunities and accessibility for incarcerated individuals with disabilities. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill supports rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society, softening the long-term impact of incarceration through education. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By providing workforce training and higher educational attainment, the bill equips formerly incarcerated individuals for better job prospects, helping to lift them out of poverty upon release. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Improved post-release employment and educational support help stabilize housing outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The legislation promotes fiscal efficiency by leveraging educational investments that lower long-term incarceration and recidivism costs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By improving post-release employment through prison education, the bill helps reintegrate individuals into the workforce, contributing positively to economic growth.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill expands access to postsecondary education and career programs for incarcerated individuals through structured provider partnerships.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates extensive reporting, data collection, and a public-facing research clearinghouse to track prison education outcomes. Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation establishes a new Office of Prison Education and expands federal oversight and data collection across federal and state prison systems.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Section 7 improves support for incarcerated veterans by connecting them with educational assistance, financial aid counseling, and outreach resources.
- 9/30/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.