Prison to Proprietorship Act

The Prison to Proprietorship Act (HR 8443) requires federal prisons to partner with women’s business centers and small business development centers to provide entrepreneurship training to incarcerated individuals in minimum, low, or medium security facilities. It mandates five two-day classroom sessions, one-on-one business planning support, financial literacy training, and a certificate upon completion, prioritizing those releasing within 18 months. The program continues after release, with centers required to survey participants and report annually on demographics, service hours, and effectiveness to Congress. This directly affects federally incarcerated individuals seeking post-release business opportunities, focusing on practical skills like business planning and capital access.