Prison Libraries Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
Introduced
Summary
Expand prison libraries to support education and reentry. The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 would create a federal grant program run by the Attorney General to fund creation, expansion, and operation of libraries in correctional facilities.
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- Incarcerated people and their families would get free access to physical books, eBooks, audiobooks, library computers and internet, literacy classes, career-readiness programs, and family literacy activities during visits. Libraries must not charge fees for those services.
- States and territories could apply for one-year grants that may be renewed yearly for up to six years to buy materials, build less restrictive library space, hire qualified librarians, and run resident-led or restorative justice programs.
- Libraries, post-secondary groups, and local public libraries would be able to coordinate on education, digital literacy, job training, interlibrary loans, and cultural programming under program standards and reporting requirements.
*Would authorize $10 million per year from 2026 through 2031, totaling $60 million in authorized appropriations and increasing federal spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More library funding for prisons
If enacted, this bill would create a federal grant program to build and improve prison libraries and programming. The Attorney General would have to set up the program within one year. The program would be authorized at $10 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. States and territories could apply with a plan, proof of a library or intent to create one, and demographic data showing need. Grants would be one-year awards, renewable up to six years, and could pay for books, computers, trained librarians, classes, career and reentry programs, and coordination with local public libraries.
No fees for prison library use
If enacted, the bill would bar grantees from charging incarcerated people fees for physical books, eBooks, audiobooks, library computers, internet access, printing, or needed art and school supplies. The bill would also forbid using grant funds for non-library items like food, unrelated staff pay, medical care, transportation, or general prison operations. This would protect free access to library services and keep grant money focused on library resources and programming.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov