S. 5482 — PREP Act

This section states congressional findings on recidivism rates for individuals released from federal and state prisons, the public safety and employment benefits of prison education programs, and shortfalls in Bureau of Prisons education spending and administration. It declares the purpose of the Act to establish a dedicated office within the Bureau of Prisons to improve federal prison education programs, ensure access across institutions, form partnerships with education providers, and maintain a repository of research and best practices for state and local correctional systems.

This section defines "Assistant Director" as the Assistant Director for Prison Education appointed under section 4142(b) of title 18, United States Code, as added by this Act, and "Director" as the Director of the Bureau of Prisons.

This section establishes an Office of Prison Education within the Bureau of Prisons, headed by an Assistant Director appointed by the Director, to ensure quality educational programs in all federal penal and correctional institutions. It requires the office to implement the Federal Prison Education Program; coordinate evidence-based adult literacy, high school diploma, postsecondary, workforce, career and technical education, and disability services across institutions; consult with the Department of Education and Veterans Affairs; conduct research and training for state systems; and collect and report data on enrollment, completion, employment barriers, and post-release outcomes including recidivism and corrections spending.

This section establishes a clearinghouse for research, policies, and best practices on quality education programs in prison. It directs the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Prisons to maintain the clearinghouse in collaboration with the Department of Education, State correctional agencies, civil rights and criminal justice organizations, and research entities, and to post related information and resources on the Bureau’s public website.

This section directs the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Prisons to use available funds to provide State correctional institutions with training and technical assistance on developing and implementing policies for quality education programs in prison. It authorizes federal correctional institutions operating education programs under section 4143 of title 18, United States Code, to partner with State and local correctional institutions and education providers in the same State or region to deliver the training and assistance.

This section directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct outreach informing incarcerated veterans of eligibility for educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, ensure access to such assistance, connect eligible veterans to approved prison education programs including the Federal Prison Education Program, provide post-release financial aid counseling, and distribute a resource guide on available educational assistance and job counseling, training, and placement services under chapters 41 and 42. It prohibits monthly housing stipends and subsistence payments for veterans with felony convictions while incarcerated and reduces assistance by amounts covered by other Federal, State, or local programs.