The American Library Association (ALA) is backing new federal legislation to expand access to education, literacy, and workforce preparation in U.S. prisons.

According to a press release issued Tuesday, Jan. 27, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO), Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH), and Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) reintroduced the Prison Libraries Act to Congress. The ALA endorsed the legislation, which would support the creation and expansion of state prison libraries nationwide though $60 million in grant funding over six years. Per the release, the program is designed to advance reintegration, reduce recidivism, and expand educational opportunities for incarcerated people through sustained federal investment in library services.

What The Prison Libraries Act Would Do

According to Tuesday’s release, the Prison Libraries Act would deliver grantees with the funds to update library materials, hire qualified librarians, and expand programming that includes digital literacy, career readiness, civic engagement, and educational training. The legislation also prioritizes partnerships with local public libraries and requires participating facilities to demonstrate measurable outcomes in literacy, education, and post-release employment preparation, per the bill’s language.

There are some equitable provisions built into the bill. Facilities receiving grants would be prohibited from charging incarcerated individuals for access to library books, computers, internet services, or educational materials, ensuring that participation remains free and accessible.

ALA Emphasizes Literacy And Reentry

In announcing its support, the American Library Association highlighted the role that libraries play in addressing information gaps within the carceral system.

“Prison libraries open doors of opportunity and provide essential literacy support to address the urgent information needs of millions of incarcerated people in the United States,” said Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Association, in the press release.

“Funding from the Prison Libraries Act would expand educational services and provide incarcerated individuals with resources to build skills for employment and enable them to return to their communities better equipped for life after incarceration,” he continued.

In the release, the ALA noted that libraries often serve as one of the few consistent educational spaces inside prisons, particularly because access to technology, up-to-date materials, and structured learning programs is limited.

Economic And Public Safety Impact

The bill’s framework aligns closely with findings outlined in ALA’s June 2025 policy report, “Investing in Prison Libraries: A Cost-Effective Path to Safer Communities and Second Chances.”

According to the report, roughly 1.25 million people are currently held in state and federal prisons, and more than 600,000 individuals are released each year, many of whom face significant barriers to employment and reintegration.

Based on the data from the report, approximately two-thirds of formerly incarcerated individuals are rearrested within three years of release, contributing to an estimated $182 billion in annual corrections spending nationwide. ALA’s analysis cites research showing that participation in education programs is strongly correlated with reduced recidivism and improved post-release outcomes.

The report further notes that every dollar invested in prison education yields approximately five dollars in savings on future incarceration costs over a three-year period, positioning prison libraries as both a rehabilitative and a fiscally responsible public investment.

Education, Digital Skills, And Workforce Preparation

According to the bill text, grant funds could support a wide range of services, including digital literacy training, career readiness programming, financial literacy, and access to computers and educational software. The legislation also allows for programming such as book discussion groups, language services, family literacy initiatives, and post-secondary educational support.

The ALA’s 2025 report emphasizes that many incarcerated individuals enter prison with limited formal education. Based on national assessments cited in the report, more than 68% of incarcerated people lack a high school diploma, and average literacy levels are significantly lower than those of the general population.

By expanding library access and staffing, supporters of the bill argue that it would help address these gaps and prepare individuals for a labor market that increasingly requires digital and technical skills.

Broad Organizational Support

In addition to the ALA, the Prison Libraries Act is endorsed by a coalition of literacy, civil rights, and justice organizations, including the Vera Institute of Justice, Books Through Bars, PEN America, and several prison book and library advocacy groups, per the ALA’s press release.

Representatives including Ed Case (D-HI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) cosponsored the bill.

As Congress continues to debate approaches to public safety, education, and reentry, the bill positions prison libraries as a data-driven intervention aimed at reducing recidivism while expanding access to knowledge and opportunity behind prison walls.