Bill
S 4320
The bill creates a federally funded grants program to establish and operate prison libraries, expanding education, literacy, and post-release opportunities for incarcerated people.
Purpose
- Establish a federal program to provide grants for the creation and operation of prison libraries.
- Promote reintegration, reduce recidivism, and expand educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals.
Key Provisions
1) Establishment and Funding
- The Attorney General must establish a grant program within one year of enactment.
- Authorized appropriations: $10,000,000 per fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 (6-year authorization).
2) Eligibility (Who can apply)
- Eligible grantees: States or U.S. territories.
- Applicants must submit:
- A comprehensive plan detailing grant use, objectives, program design, and evaluation.
- Proof of an existing physical library at a correctional facility or a plan to create one.
- Demographic and relevant data on the facility’s population (e.g., education level, recidivism rates, socioeconomic factors) to demonstrate funding need.
3) Authorized Uses of Funds
- Funds must be used to provide library services to incarcerated individuals and may cover:
- Education and job training.
- Acquisition of modern materials and equipment reflecting the population’s interests and languages.
- Infrastructure expansion to create a more welcoming library environment (within safety limits).
- Hiring of qualified librarians and staff with specified qualifications (library management, cataloging, events, etc.).
- Literary and digital literacy training; career readiness; civic engagement; restorative justice; resident-led programs.
- Cultural exchange, access to computers and the internet, book discussion programs.
- Language services (including free English classes).
- Audiobooks, eBooks, accessible materials for the visually impaired, multimedia resources.
- Book donation management; artistic programming; financial literacy; family literacy during visits.
- Resource fairs; coordination with local public libraries (standard library guidelines, interlibrary loan, coordinated events).
4) Prohibited Uses
- Grants cannot be used for:
- Food, clothing, hygiene items.
- Salaries/benefits for staff not related to library services.
- Medical or mental health care.
- Transportation for incarcerated individuals.
- Staff training not related to library services.
- General prison administration or facility maintenance unrelated to libraries.
- Any other non-library-related obligations.
5) Prioritization and Oversight
- The Attorney General must prioritize:
- Applicants adhering to library standards/guidelines.
- Programs that add postsecondary education components.
- Plans showing measurable impact on literacy, enrollment, skill development, and post-release employment opportunities.
- Applicants proposing multiple initiatives to maximize benefits.
- Ensure geographic diversity across states/territories and urban/rural areas.
- Establish a reporting system to monitor progress, performance, and expenditures.
6) Term and Reporting
- Grant term: 1 year, with potential renewal for up to 6 additional years (total maximum of 7 years).
- Grantees must submit annual performance measures, library activity statistics, program outcomes, and expenditure reports.
7) Conditions of Access
- Incarcerated individuals cannot be charged fees for:
- Access to physical books, digital/electronic formats, computers/internet inside the library, or necessary learning materials.
- Printing services and other library resources.
- Libraries must be available for educational programming by postsecondary organizations.
8) Consultation
- The Attorney General must consult with the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in implementing the Act.
Administrative Details
- Short title: Prison Libraries Act of 2026.
- Introduced in the Senate on April 16, 2026, by Senators Schiff (for), Durbin, Hirono, Padilla, and Booker; co-sponsored by Durbin, Booker, Hirono, Padilla, and Schiff.
- Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Potential Impact
Notes for Readers
- The bill sets broad permissible uses to address education, culture, technology, and social programs within prison libraries, while explicitly excluding non-library expenditures (food, personal care, facility maintenance not tied to libraries, etc.).
- If enacted, the program would be administered by the Department of Justice’s Attorney General with consultation from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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