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...