President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that strengthens oversight of the federal Bureau of Prisons following reports of systemic corruption, failures, and abuse within the federal prison system. The Federal Prison Oversight Act establishes an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints after incidents of sexual assaults, criminal misconduct by staff, escapes, and high-profile deaths were exposed. The bill also mandates risk-based inspections of all 122 federal prison facilities by the Justice Department’s inspector general and assigns each facility a risk score, with higher-risk facilities receiving more frequent inspections.
Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters testified before Congress, highlighting the need for additional funding to effectively respond to the increased oversight and implement long-lasting change. Sen. Jon Ossoff introduced the oversight bill in 2022 and led an investigation of the Bureau of Prisons as chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee’s subcommittee on investigations. Ossoff, along with other sponsors, initiated the Senate Bipartisan Prison Policy Working Group to address the turmoil within the Bureau of Prisons and ensure accountability. The bill has received bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House.
Under the new legislation, an independent federal prison ombudsman will collect complaints, investigate dangerous conditions affecting inmates and staff, and report findings to the attorney general and Congress. The legislation also requires the inspector general to report any findings and recommendations to Congress and the public, with the Bureau of Prisons responding with a corrective action plan within 60 days. Inspector General Michael Horowitz praised the bill for recognizing the importance of the inspection program, and the agency looks forward to expanding its impact with the help of Congress.
The oversight bill aims to address critical shortcomings identified during unannounced inspection programs, including staff shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and substandard living conditions for inmates. Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters believes that the new legislation will enhance the efforts of the inspector general and enable the agency to identify and address problems more efficiently. President Biden signed another bill introduced by Sen. Jon Ossoff into law in December 2022, requiring the Bureau of Prisons to improve surveillance measures within its facilities. An ongoing AP investigation has revealed numerous flaws within the Bureau of Prisons, including escapes, violence, deaths, and severe staffing shortages.
Recent incidents within federal prisons, such as the closure of the women’s prison in Dublin, California, known as the “rape club,” and attacks on high-profile prisoners like Derek Chauvin and Larry Nassar, have raised concerns about the safety and security of inmates. The Bureau of Prisons has been under scrutiny for failing to address these issues effectively, leading to the implementation of the Federal Prison Oversight Act. The bill aims to create a more transparent and accountable system within the Bureau of Prisons, ensuring that inmates and staff are protected and their rights are upheld. President Biden’s signing of the bill signifies a step towards reforming the federal prison system and addressing the ongoing challenges faced by the Bureau of Prisons.
