The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 directs the Attorney General to establish a federal grant program that provides funding to states and territories for developing and improving library services in correctional facilities. The grants aim to help incarcerated individuals prepare for successful reintegration into society by offering education, job training, digital literacy, and various enrichment programs. Grant funds can support hiring qualified librarians, acquiring books and computers, building partnerships with public libraries, and running programs from career readiness to artistic activities, though they cannot be used for general prison operations or inmate basic needs like food and clothing. To qualify, states must submit a comprehensive plan demonstrating the need for funding and commitment to measurable outcomes, with preference given to applicants offering post-secondary education and showing geographic diversity across urban and rural areas. The bill authorizes $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with individual grants lasting one year but renewable for up to six years total, and requires grantees to provide free library access and submit annual reports on outcomes and spending.
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