The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has decided not to renew its contract with the American Correctional Association (ACA), a company that specializes in providing accreditation services for correctional facilities. This decision comes after a critical report from the Office of Inspector General, which found that ACA was essentially affirming the BOP’s own findings without providing any real certification or action for improvement. The BOP operates 122 facilities housing nearly 160,000 federal prisoners, many of which are in dire need of repair. The agency has estimated that it needs nearly $2 billion to bring all of its aging facilities up to modern standards.
In response to the OIG report and concerns about ACA’s accreditation process, three senators – Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and Jeff Merkley – wrote a letter to the BOP and Department of Justice asking them not to renew the contract with ACA. The senators argued that ACA had a financial incentive to provide accreditation to facilities it was supposed to evaluate independently, and that the organization’s accreditation system was ineffective or misleading. The BOP released a statement on its website explaining that they were exploring other options to ensure continued improvement and innovation in correctional standards for the well-being of adults in custody and the agency’s workforce.
The BOP has been embroiled in several scandals in recent years, including the introduction of contraband by staff, sexual abuse of inmates, and a revolving door of agency directors. The current director, Colette Peters, has promised more humane treatment of prisoners but challenges remain. While ACA may have failed to provide meaningful accreditation for BOP facilities, it is now up to the agency to police itself and address the issues raised by the Office of Inspector General and other oversight bodies. OIG has conducted surprise inspections of facilities and has been critical of BOP practices, highlighting the need for the agency to address systemic issues to fulfill its mission of rehabilitating offenders and returning them to society.
The BOP faces significant budget shortfalls when it comes to repairing its aging facilities. The U.S. Senate has proposed $209 million for building and facility repairs in fiscal 2024, while lawmakers in the House have sought $273 million for these purposes. Both amounts fall far short of the estimated $2 billion needed to bring BOP facilities up to modern standards. Without proper audits and oversight, issues at prisons are left unaddressed, leading to failures in the system. The decision not to renew the contract with ACA is a step towards addressing these issues and ensuring that the BOP prioritizes the well-being of inmates and continues to work towards its mission of rehabilitation and reintegration.
