HR 7247
Prison Libraries Act of 2026
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Bill overview
The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 aims to establish a program where the Attorney General provides grants to state and territorial governments to create or improve prison libraries. These libraries can offer a wide range of services, including educational programs, digital literacy training, and access to books and technology, with the goal of reducing recidivism and increasing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. The grants are intended to support library infrastructure, staffing, and resources, while excluding expenses like food, healthcare, and general facility maintenance.
Key provisions
- Establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney General to fund prison libraries.
- Grantees must have a comprehensive plan for library services and demonstrate a need for funding.
- Grant funds can be used for education, job training, digital literacy, and various library resources and activities.
- Specific qualifications are required for library staff, including library management experience and demonstrated skills in cataloging and event organization.
- Grants cannot be used for items unrelated to library services, such as food, healthcare, or facility maintenance.
- Prioritization of grants will be given to applicants following library management standards, offering post-secondary education, and demonstrating a measurable impact on the prison population.
- Grants are for a maximum of six years and require annual performance reporting.
- Grantees cannot charge fees for library services or resources.
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 7247
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To establish a program to make grants for the establishment of prison libraries.
This Act may be cited as the Prison Libraries Act of 2026
.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall establish a program to make grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of providing library services to incarcerated individuals in order to advance reintegration efforts, reduce recidivism, and increase educational opportunities.
An eligible grantee under this Act is any State or territory that submits an application that includes the following:
A comprehensive plan for how the grant will be used, including project objectives, program design, and evaluation process.
Grant amounts shall be used to provide library services to incarcerated individuals as set forth in section 2, and may include usage for any of the following:
Education and job training.
Acquisition of modern materials and equipment that reflect the interests, identities, abilities, and languages of the prison population.
Expansion of the infrastructure of prison libraries to be less restrictive, safety permitted, and more welcoming with design and decor.
Hiring of qualified librarians and staff to manage the libraries, their resources, and services and serve as the social coordinator for organized activities and events, and who hold the following qualifications:
Have practical library management experience.
Demonstrated ability to catalogue, archive, and maintain databases and E-resources.
Literary training.
Digital literacy training.
Career readiness programming.
Restorative justice programs.
Resident led programs.
Health and wellness activities.
Cultural exchange and appreciation programs, events, and activities.
Computer (including laptops) and internet access.
Book discussion programs.
Language services, including free English classes.
eBooks.
Management of book donation programs.
Audio and visual materials or multimedia.
Artistic programing such as painting, creative writing, poetry slams, drama, or music.
Financial literacy.
Family literacy activities facilitated during in-person visits.
Resource fairs.
Making reasonable efforts towards building a working relationship with local public libraries, including—
adoption of a standardized guideline for library management;
sharing of resources and materials through an interlibrary loan arrangement; and
implementation of coordinated organized events and activities.
Grant amounts may not be used for the following:
Purchasing food, clothes, shoes, or hygiene supplies.
Payment of employee salary and benefits unassociated with prison libraries.
Physical and mental care for incarcerated individuals.
Incarcerated individual transportation.
Staff training unrelated to the library services.
General administrative functions or operations of the prison.
Facility maintenance aside from the libraries.
Other obligations imposed on the facility by law, including establishment of maintenance of a law library.
Any other use unrelated to library services, resources, and management.
The Attorney General shall, in making grants under this Act, comply with the following:
The Attorney General shall prioritize making awards to grantees that are the following:
plans for increasing literacy rates;
plans for increased secondary and post-secondary enrollment and graduation rates;
plans for development of technical and vocational skills;
plans for expanded access to employment opportunities post-release; and
any other factors that the Attorney General determines appropriate.
The Attorney General shall ensure geographic diversity as between grantees with regard to the States and territories and between urban and rural areas.
The Attorney General shall establish a reporting system to monitor progress, performance, and expenditures of grantees.
A grant under this Act shall be for term of one year, and may be renewed annually for a period of not more than 6 years in total.
Grantees shall submit annual performance measures, including library activity statistics and program outcomes, and expenditure reports to systems established by the Attorney General under section 6(4).
Access to physical books.
Access to eBook and audiobooks.
Access to computers (including laptops) and the internet within the library.
Access to educational and artistic materials needed to facilitate learning, training, and or activities, including notebooks, pens, pencils, paints, and similar supplies.
Printing services.
Any other library services or resources.
The Attorney General shall consult with the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in implementing this Act.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.