Charleston Leader

Yesterday, the Federal Prison Oversight Act, bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. The bill, led by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), establishes new independent oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Having passed both the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, it will now proceed to the president’s desk for signing into law.

“Investigations into our Federal prisons produced shocking and alarming findings,” Senator Capito said. “I was incredibly upset to read reports of misconduct by some prison officials, the conditions of some facilities, and the abuse of inmates. I am glad to see the Federal Prison Oversight Act pass the Senate. After discussions with numerous constituents, families, and corrections officers, I strongly support this legislation which aims to correct these issues within the Federal prison system, and I encourage the president to sign it promptly into law.”

The Federal Prison Oversight Act mandates that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Inspector General conduct comprehensive risk-based inspections of BOP's 122 correctional facilities, provide recommendations for improvements, and assign each facility a risk score—higher-risk facilities will require more frequent inspections. The Inspector General must also report findings and recommendations to Congress and the public while requiring BOP responses within 60 days with a corrective action plan.

Additionally, an independent Ombudsman will be established to investigate health, safety, welfare, and rights concerns for incarcerated individuals and staff. The Ombudsman would also create a secure hotline and online form for family members, friends, and representatives of incarcerated people to submit complaints and inquiries.