New ALA report spotlights prison libraries’ strategic role in reentry

Report authors to discuss findings at ALA Annual Conference 2025

WASHINGTON - A new report released today by the American Library Association explores the essential role of prison libraries in lowering recidivism by better preparing incarcerated people for their release and why further investments in prison libraries are essential to reducing the social and economic impacts of incarceration. Investing in Prison Libraries: A Cost-Effective Path to Safer Communities and Second Chances, part of the ALA Policy Perspectives series, is co-authored by Erin Boyington, Amelia Bryne and Emily Durkin.

Investing in Prison Libraries outlines how prison libraries create opportunities and provide a cost-effective means to address the extraordinary information needs of millions of incarcerated and detained people in the United States. According to the report, full funding of prison libraries leads to safer and healthier communities and reduced prison costs:

“Investing in prison libraries is a critical step in moving towards providing incarcerated individuals with tools – rather than barriers – to return to their communities better-equipped for life after incarceration... With adequate funding, standardization, and support, prison libraries are a vital resource that can shape outcomes for millions of Americans, preparing incarcerated individuals for employment and career pathways, social and family engagement, and agency.”

Highlighting the work of prison libraries and impacts on incarcerated people, Investing in Prison Libraries argues that, when financed and sufficiently staffed, prison libraries in the United States provide their patrons with expertise, reading material and a range of programs and resources that support skills building and reentry, including:

• Support to expand literacy including the development of information, digital and financial literacy skills to integrate successfully into society

• Maintaining family ties through library family literacy programs, where incarcerated people are able to record themselves reading a book, and share that video with young family members to keep families connected

• Support for incarcerated people in creating resumes and aiding job searches for incarceration friendly employers including research support on how to start a small business

Investing in Prison Libraries offers recommendations for policymakers, advocates, philanthropists and the carceral community:

• Support federal-level prison library investment such as those outlined in the Prison Libraries Act of 2023 as a strong start for Congressional support and funding for prison libraries.

• Leverage existing federal programs and regulations to increase support for prison libraries and develop a framework for systematic data collection about prison libraries.

• Boost public awareness about the critical role prison libraries play in education, skill building, workforce development, and overall successful reentry.

The report authors will discuss the work of prison libraries and recent Congressional efforts to support prison library funding in a session at the ALA Annual Conference on Saturday, June 28, at 9:00 a.m. (EDT): The Work of Prison Libraries and Why Further Investment is Needed.