A Democratic bill with 13 Democratic cosponsors · See all 14 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
This bill establishes an Office of Prison Education within the Bureau of Prisons to oversee and improve educational programs across Federal correctional facilities. The new office will coordinate the Federal Prison Education Program to partner with eligible education providers and offer services like adult literacy, high school education, postsecondary degrees, and workforce training. It also creates a public clearinghouse for prison education research and best practices to assist both Federal and State prison systems. Additionally, the legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct outreach and provide educational assistance and counseling to incarcerated veterans. Finally, the bill allocates specific funding from the Bureau of Prisons to support these educational programs from fiscal years 2027 through 2033.
Yes· 3 of 19
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
The legislation directly expands access to adult literacy, high school diplomas, postsecondary degrees, and vocational training for incarcerated learners.
- Scored +5
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
Establishing the Office of Prison Education and robust federal prison education programs supports rehabilitation and successful community reentry.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill establishes and funds the Federal Prison Education Program and an Office of Prison Education to expand educational offerings in correctional facilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Educational and Workforce Opportunities: Section 4 adds new section 4142 and 4143 to title 18, United States Code, which ensures the provision of educational services in Federal prisons, including adult literacy, high school diplomas, postsecondary education, and workforce development. This is positive because it helps incarcerated individuals gain valuable skills for the contemporary workforce and increases their chances of successful community reintegration.
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Support for Incarcerated Veterans: Section 7 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with the Director of the Bureau of Prisons and State correctional agencies to inform incarcerated veterans about their potential eligibility for educational assistance. This is positive because it directly connects eligible veterans to quality education programs and provides them with financial aid and job counseling for when they are released.
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Improved Research and State Assistance: Section 5 and Section 6 establish a nationwide clearinghouse for prison education research and require the Assistant Director to provide training and technical assistance to State prison systems. This is beneficial because sharing best practices and supporting State correctional institutions can help improve educational outcomes and safety across prison environments nationwide.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restriction on Veterans' Financial Benefits: Section 7(b)(1) states that a veteran with a felony conviction who is incarcerated in a Federal or State correctional facility may not receive any monthly housing stipend or subsistence allowance while incarcerated. This is a burden because it withholds specific financial support that non-incarcerated veterans rely on for housing and daily living expenses while pursuing their education.
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Reduction in Educational Assistance Coverage: Section 7(b)(2) requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reduce the amount of educational assistance provided to an incarcerated veteran for tuition, fees, and supplies by an amount equal to what is paid by another Federal, State, or local program. This could be seen as a negative consequence because it limits the total financial aid a veteran can utilize if they are receiving assistance from multiple government sources.
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Cost-Sharing Limitations: Section 4 adds new section 4143(g) to title 18, United States Code, which specifies that the Federal share of the cost for an academic program cannot exceed 75 percent of the total cost. This could place a financial burden on eligible providers or partner entities who must secure the remaining funds from non-Federal sources to operate the programs.
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 legislation directly expands access to adult literacy, high school diplomas, postsecondary degrees, and vocational training for incarcerated learners. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Individuals entering federal prisons are disproportionately from low-income backgrounds and benefit from skills acquisition that improves post-release financial stability. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Section 7 mandates dedicated VA outreach, educational assistance counseling, and resource guides specifically for incarcerated veterans. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly requires the Office of Prison Education to expand opportunities and programs tailored for individuals with disabilities. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults make up a significant portion of the incarcerated population and stand to benefit heavily from foundational education and workforce training.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — Establishing the Office of Prison Education and robust federal prison education programs supports rehabilitation and successful community reentry. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing education and workforce training helps reduce recidivism and increases employment opportunities, lifting individuals out of poverty post-release. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill explicitly mandates expanded educational opportunities and programs tailored for individuals with disabilities within federal prisons. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Expanding access to education and training in prisons helps address systemic disparities that disproportionately impact minority populations in the justice system.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Research cited in the bill indicates that funding prison education reduces overall long-term incarceration costs by lowering recidivism rates. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes workforce development programs and career training for incarcerated individuals to improve post-release job placement. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By equipping formerly incarcerated individuals with marketable skills, the legislation supports better workforce integration and economic productivity. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The legislation allocates specific funding within existing Bureau of Prisons appropriations and emphasizes cost-effective long-term outcomes.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill establishes and funds the Federal Prison Education Program and an Office of Prison Education to expand educational offerings in correctional facilities. Does this make college cost less? — The legislation creates pathways for incarcerated individuals to access postsecondary education and degree programs. Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — The bill provides financial aid and student loan counseling to help students manage educational costs and debt upon release.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires comprehensive data collection, annual reporting, and public publication of evaluations regarding prison education programs. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill creates a new federal Office of Prison Education within the Bureau of Prisons and allocates specific federal funds for correctional education.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill directs the VA to provide outreach, educational assistance counseling, and resources specifically tailored to incarcerated veterans.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island