State Library Agency - Family Literacy Pilot Program - Establishment

Free family reading for incarcerated parents

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland’s State Library Agency runs the Family Literacy Pilot Program. It works with the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Correctional Education Council. Incarcerated people record themselves reading children’s books aloud, and each child receives the book and recording. Participation is free for the incarcerated person, child, and custodial parent or guardian. Eligible children are biological or adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren, or legal wards of the incarcerated person. The child’s custodial parent or guardian must give written permission. The agency selects four state correctional facility libraries or prerelease centers across the Western, Central, and Eastern regions. At least one selected facility serves incarcerated women, and at least one serves incarcerated men. The pilot ends December 31, 2028.