A bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has passed the U.S. Senate and now awaits the President’s signature to become law. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, comes in response to a series of scandals within the BOP, including staff corruption, inmate mistreatment, prison closures, and delays in implementing the First Step Act. Senator Ossoff has been a vocal advocate for reform within the BOP and has conducted hearings on issues such as the “rape club” at FCI Dublin women’s prison and corruption at USP Atlanta.
The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (OIG) has conducted numerous investigations into issues within the BOP, including staffing shortages, poor medical care, inedible food, and decaying facilities. The OIG will be required to conduct comprehensive, risk-based inspections of all 122 BOP facilities under the new bill, provide recommendations for improvements, assign risk scores to facilities, and report findings to Congress and the public. The bill also establishes an independent Ombudsman office to investigate health, safety, welfare, and rights of incarcerated individuals and staff, as well as adherence to the First Step Act.
Senator Ossoff’s bipartisan bill has received widespread support from both sides of the aisle and has been praised by IG Michael Horowitz for its efforts to improve oversight of the BOP. The bill aims to address critical shortcomings within the BOP, such as staff shortages in key programs, infrastructure repairs, and food quality issues. BOP Director Colette Peters, who took over after her predecessor stepped down in 2022, has made progress on issues related to the First Step Act but faced criticism for her handling of abuses at FCI Dublin.
The BOP has issued a statement welcoming the oversight and expressing a desire to work with Congress to implement the new legislation. The bill’s emphasis on additional oversight and requirements will necessitate additional resources for the BOP to effectively respond to inspection reports, inquiries, and complaints. While the bill is a step in the right direction, there are concerns about funding for its implementation as it may not be included in the upcoming budget cycle, delaying the impact of the legislation.
Retired acting-BOP Director Hugh Hurwitz has emphasized the need for resources to support the Ombudsman office and Inspector General reporting required under the bill. The creation of an Ombudsman office is expected to lead to an influx of calls and complaints, which will require funding to address effectively. Without adequate resources, the bill may not have the intended impact, and delays in funding could further prolong issues within the BOP. Congress will need to prioritize funding for the law in the upcoming budget cycle to ensure its effectiveness in addressing systemic issues within the BOP.
