The Read for Reentry Act of 2026 requires the Government Accountability Office to study prison libraries across the United States within one year of the bill's enactment. The study will examine what library services are available in state and federal prisons, how they are funded, and who uses them by collecting demographic data on incarcerated individuals including age, race, education level, and length of sentence. The research will also analyze whether prison libraries help reduce recidivism rates, improve parole compliance, support workforce placement after release, and reduce disciplinary problems among inmates. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals in state and federal prisons that offer library services, as well as correctional institutions themselves. This legislation aims to gather evidence about whether prison libraries contribute to successful reentry into society and rehabilitation.
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