Senate Passes Federal Prison Oversight Act

The U.S. Senate has passed the Federal Prison Oversight Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at overhauling the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) by introducing stronger oversight and transparency measures. The bill, championed by Senator Jon Ossoff and supported by a bipartisan group of legislators, now awaits President Biden's signature. It mandates comprehensive, risk-based inspections of all 122 federal prison facilities by the Department of Justice's Inspector General (IG) and establishes an independent Ombudsman to investigate complaints and oversee prison conditions. Prompted by extensive reports of corruption, abuse, understaffing, and mistreatment, the legislation requires the BOP to respond to IG reports with corrective action plans within 60 days. Advocates for incarcerated individuals, including organizations like Prison Fellowship, have praised the bill for its potential to improve safety and accountability in federal prisons.