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119-hr-10543119th CongressWALLET

PREP Act

Sponsored By: Representative Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

In Committee

Summary

Expands and standardizes federal prison education to improve reentry and reduce recidivism. This bill would create an Office of Prison Education inside the Bureau of Prisons and a Federal Prison Education Program to coordinate evidence-based classes, collect data, and provide training and technical assistance to state systems.

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  • Incarcerated students would get access to literacy, high school diploma or equivalent programs, postsecondary courses, workforce training, apprenticeships, and services for learning disabilities. The bill cites research that prison education can reduce recidivism by over 43%.
  • Incarcerated veterans would receive targeted VA outreach about education benefits under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, connections to quality prison programs, and financial aid and job counseling. The VA must withhold monthly housing stipends during incarceration and offset education payments by other federal, State, or local funds.
  • State correctional systems and community providers would get training, technical assistance, and partnership opportunities. Eligible providers include colleges, local educational agencies, nonprofits, faith and community groups, and employer partners, and diploma mills are barred.
  • Federal oversight would require provider annual reports, multiagency evaluations, and a public clearinghouse of best practices. The federal share of program costs would be capped at 75% and $170 million is authorized for FY2027–FY2033 to carry out the Bureau’s program duties.

*This bill would increase federal spending by $170 million from FY2027 through FY2033.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Education help and limits for incarcerated veterans

If enacted, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would have to inform incarcerated veterans about VA education benefits and help eligible veterans connect to approved prison education programs. VA would provide financial-aid counseling and a resource guide on education and job services. At the same time, a veteran with a felony conviction would not receive the VA monthly housing stipend or certain subsistence payments while incarcerated. VA would also reduce education payments by the amount another federal, state, or local program pays for the same tuition, fees, or books.

More education and job training in prisons

If enacted, the Bureau of Prisons would create an Office of Prison Education led by an Assistant Director. The office would run a Federal Prison Education Program and keep a public clearinghouse of research and best practices. For fiscal years 2027 through 2033, $170 million of amounts appropriated to the Bureau would be directed to carry out these Office functions. Providers would have to report annually and offer academic, financial-aid, and career supports to students. The Federal share of an academic program would be capped at 75 percent, so providers or other funders would need to cover the rest.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

PA • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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