The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 directs the Attorney General to establish a federal grant program that provides funding to states and territories for creating or expanding library services in correctional facilities. The grants aim to reduce recidivism and improve reintegration by funding library materials, hiring trained librarians, offering educational and job training programs, and providing digital access and literacy classes. Eligible states must submit comprehensive plans demonstrating the need for funding and detailing how libraries will serve incarcerated populations, with priority given to applicants offering post-secondary education, strong measurable outcomes, and geographic diversity across urban and rural areas. Grants last one year and can be renewed annually for up to six years total, with all library services provided free to incarcerated individuals. The bill authorizes $10 million annually from 2026 through 2031 to support these prison library programs.
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