Prison Fellowship Praises U.S. House of Representatives for Passing the Federal Prison Oversight Act
21 Mayo 2024 - 6:55PM
Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving
currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families and a
leading advocate for criminal justice reform, commends the U.S.
House of Representatives for passing the Federal Prison Oversight
Act (H.R.3019 | S. 1401). Led by Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA)
and Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), the bipartisan bill will
create new tools for regular independent oversight of the Bureau of
Prisons (BOP). Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Mike Braun (R-IN) and
Dick Durbin (D-IL) currently lead the companion bill in the Senate.
“We wholeheartedly support the passing of this bill by the House
and urge the Senate to do the same, as it will dramatically improve
accountability and security in our nation’s prisons,” said Heather
Rice-Minus, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship. “For too long,
federal prisons have been shrouded in darkness, and we look forward
to the day when health, safety and restoration are prioritized for
everyone living within prison walls.”
“The Bureau of Prisons has failed to consistently provide a
humane environment for staff and people in its custody. We must
expect more of our public institutions,” said Kate Trammell, Prison
Fellowship’s vice president of legal and advocacy. “Today, the
House of Representatives sent a clear message of support for a more
transparent and responsible federal prison system. We hope to see
similar action by the U.S. Senate soon.”
Background:Under intense scrutiny from various government
and watchdog agencies, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
incarcerates over 150,000 men and women with a budget of more than
$8 billion. In 2023, management of the BOP was added to the GAO’s
list of high-risk government programs “vulnerable to waste, fraud,
abuse, and mismanagement or in need of transformation”.
The Federal Prison Oversight Act (H.R.3019 | S. 1401) would
require regular inspections of BOP facilities with an accompanying
risk score report that would produce accountability actions by the
BOP. The bill also creates an independent Ombudsman office to
investigate allegations of unhealthy prison conditions for staff or
prisoners. If the Ombudsman believes that a health, safety,
welfare, working condition, or rehabilitation issue at a BOP
facility remains unaddressed, it will report those findings to the
Attorney General and to Congress. The bill includes confidentiality
and non-retaliation protections to promote reporting and permit
independent review.
Prison FellowshipPrison Fellowship is the nation's largest
Christian nonprofit equipping the Church to serve currently and
formerly incarcerated people and their families, and to advocate
for justice and human dignity both inside and outside of prison.
With nearly 50 years of experience helping restore men and women
behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state
criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for
crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role
in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.
Interviews are available by contacting Susan
Merriman at 303.775.2634 or susan_merriman@pfm.org.
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Susan Merriman
Prison Fellowship
703-554-8698
susan_merriman@pfm.org