PREP Act
Creates a Bureau of Prisons office to oversee prison education and support education programs in federal and state prisons.
In the Senate Judiciary Committee since Sept. 23, 2026, 15 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 23, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Education and job training in prison can help people prepare for work and life after release. The bill would create a Bureau of Prisons office to oversee federal prison education, support partnerships with education providers, and evaluate program results. It would also provide education-benefit outreach for incarcerated veterans and training support for state prison systems.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Creates a federal prison education office
The Bureau of Prisons would establish an Office of Prison Education, led by an assistant director. It would oversee education in federal prisons, coordinate programs and agencies, and collect information on participation and outcomes.
- Sets up education partnerships
The office would create a program pairing federal prisons with qualified education providers. Providers would offer options such as literacy, high school completion, college, job training, and apprenticeships; the federal share of a program’s cost could not exceed 75 percent.
- Sets provider duties for students
Providers would have to help students without a high school diploma access basic education and diploma programs, and prioritize job training for work they are legally able to pursue. They would also provide information and support for continuing education, career counseling, and job placement.
- Expands education help for veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs would inform incarcerated veterans about possible education benefits and connect eligible veterans with approved prison education programs. Veterans with felony convictions could not receive certain housing or subsistence payments while incarcerated, and other education payments would be reduced by costs covered through other public programs.
- Shares research and training
The office would maintain a public clearinghouse of prison education research and best practices, and provide training and technical help to state prison systems. It would also evaluate the federal program and report its findings to Congress and the public.
The bill cites research linking prison education to lower re-arrest and higher employment, and says a 2016 analysis found the Bureau of Prisons lacked staff, program planning, budget, assessment, and educational support to administer programs effectively. It also cites a potential reduction in incarceration costs from investment in prison education.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 23, 2026SENATESEP 23, 2026By Sen. Schatz with 13 original cosponsorsReferred to Judiciary
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 23, 2026JUDICIARY NOWSEP 23, 2026In committee for 15 daysNo hearing yet
- 15 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 232026SEP 23, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- SEP 232026SEP 23, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 15, this bill is already older than 4% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 11 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Schatz’s record: sponsored 67 bills this Congress. 5 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Richard BlumenthalD-CTORIGINAL
- Cory A. BookerD-NJORIGINAL
- Richard J. DurbinD-ILORIGINAL
- John FettermanD-PAORIGINAL
- Angus S. King, Jr.I-MEORIGINAL
- Amy KlobucharD-MNORIGINAL
- Jeff MerkleyD-ORORIGINAL
- Alex PadillaD-CAORIGINAL
- Adam B. SchiffD-CAORIGINAL
- Tina SmithD-MNORIGINAL
- Chris Van HollenD-MDORIGINAL
- Sheldon WhitehouseD-RIORIGINAL
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