A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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
The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 aims to establish a grant program to provide library services to incarcerated individuals. The Attorney General will oversee these grants to help advance reintegration, reduce recidivism, and increase educational opportunities. Eligible grantees include States or territories that provide a comprehensive plan and proof of a physical or intended library. Funds can be used for various services, including education, job training, and digital literacy. The Attorney General will prioritize applicants with measurable impacts on education and employment. The program includes specific rules on how funds can be used and ensures access to resources is free for incarcerated individuals.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill provides accessible reading materials for the visually impaired and print disabled.
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
The bill expands access to educational, technical, and vocational programming.
- Scored +5
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill funds access to computers and the internet for incarcerated individuals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Educational Opportunities: The bill allows for funding of education, job training, digital literacy, and financial literacy to help individuals improve their skills (Section 4).
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Support for Reintegration and Reduced Recidivism: The program is designed to advance reintegration efforts and reduce recidiavism through various programming (Section 2).
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Access to Information and Technology: Funds may be used for access to computers, the internet, eBooks, and audiobooks (Section 4).
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Free Access to Resources: To ensure equality, the bill prohibits charging incarcerated individuals for access to physical books, eBooks, audiobooks, computers, the internet, or educational supplies like pens and notebooks (Section 9).
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Diverse Programming: The act supports a wide range of beneficial activities, including health and wellness, restorative justice, artistic programming, and language services (Section 4).
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Improved Learning Environments: Grants can be used to expand library infrastructure to be more welcoming and less restrictive (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Fund Usage: Grant funds are strictly prohibited from being used for essential needs such as food, clothes, shoes, hygiene supplies, or physical and mental care (Section 5).
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Limited Scope of Funding: Funds cannot be used for general prison administrative functions, maintenance of the facility, or the establishment of a law library (Section 5).
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides accessible reading materials for the visually impaired and print disabled. Would students be better off under this? — The bill expands access to educational, technical, and vocational programming. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides free access to educational resources and digital literacy training. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The emphasis on post-secondary education and job training benefits younger incarcerated populations.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill funds access to computers and the internet for incarcerated individuals. Does this make college cost less? — The bill facilitates access to post-secondary education and curriculum within prison libraries.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill provides for accessible reading materials for the visually impaired and print disabled. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill aims to reduce recidivism and increase employment opportunities through education and training.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds the hiring of qualified librarians and staff to manage prison libraries.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires grantees to submit annual performance measures and expenditure reports.
- 4/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 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.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California