Charleston Leader

Today, the Federal Prison Oversight Act, bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), was signed into law. The law establishes new, independent oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

“I was proud to work alongside my colleagues to get the Federal Prison Oversight Act through Congress and now signed into law. Investigations into our federal prisons produced shocking and alarming findings, and reports of misconduct, abuse, and inadequate facilities are unacceptable. The state and condition of our federal prisons is something I have frequently discussed with constituents, families, and corrections officers, and it’s a positive development that needed oversight will soon be implemented,” Senator Capito said.

The Federal Prison Oversight Act requires the U.S. Department of Justice’s Inspector General (IG) to conduct comprehensive, risk-based inspections of the BOP’s 122 correctional facilities, provide recommendations to fix problems, and assign each facility a risk score. Higher-risk facilities are required to be inspected more often. The IG must also report its findings and recommendations to Congress and the public. Additionally, the BOP must respond to all inspection reports within 60 days with a corrective action plan.

Furthermore, the law will establish an independent Ombudsman to investigate the health, safety, welfare, and rights of incarcerated people and staff. The Ombudsman will also create a secure hotline and online form for family members, friends, and representatives of incarcerated people to submit complaints and inquiries.