Across the country, correctional facilities are overcrowded and under-resourced.

Too often, incarcerated people are left without access to educational materials, literacy support, job training resources, or opportunities for personal growth. Prison libraries change that.

They provide access to books, legal information, educational programs, and reentry resources that reduce recidivism and help people return to their communities better prepared to succeed.

Research consistently shows that education in prison lowers the likelihood of reoffending. Access to reading materials improves literacy, critical thinking, and mental health. For many incarcerated individuals, a library is the first place they experience structured learning, civic education, and hope for a different future.

The Prison Libraries Act would ensure that correctional facilities provide meaningful access to library services, trained staff, and up-to-date materials. It recognizes that rehabilitation is not a luxury but a public safety strategy. When people leave prison with stronger skills and a clearer path forward, communities are safer and taxpayers save money.

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