July 25, 2024

Manchin’s Bipartisan, Bicameral Federal Prison Oversight Act Signed Into Law

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) applauded President Biden signing his bipartisan, bicameral Federal Prison Oversight Act into law. Senator Manchin cosponsored this legislation to create a new oversight structure to ensure greater transparency, safety and accountability in federal correctional facilities. This historic prison reform legislation will overhaul independent oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prison’s (BOP) 122 facilities nationwide by mandating routine inspections of all facilities by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General and establishing a new supervisory body to investigate the health, safety, welfare and rights of incarcerated people and staff.

“Our bipartisan, bicameral Federal Prison Oversight Act is historic legislation that will truly improve safety and accountability in all federal prison facilities for both staff and inmates,” said Senator Manchin. “Following serious accounts of abuse, staff shortages, and dangerous conditions at federal prisons in West Virginia and across the nation, it is even more critical that this commonsense legislation be swiftly implemented. I am grateful to my bipartisan colleagues who worked together to get it across the finish line and I look forward to seeing its impact on improving our federal prison system.”

Senator Manchin’s efforts to promote staff and inmate safety at FCC Hazelton and all federal prisons:

  • On April 11, 2024, Senator Manchin secured a 25% retention pay incentive for all FCC Hazelton staff in good standing after tireless advocacy.
  • On February 15, 2024, Senator Manchin released a statement after the DOJ published a new report on inmate deaths in federal prisons and again pushed for the retention pay incentive.
  • On November 2, 2023, Senator Manchin sent a letter to Federal BOP Director Colette Peters, urging her to approve a 25 percent retention incentive for all staff in good standing at Hazelton. According to data from BOP and AFGE Local 420, FCC Hazelton has averaged between 70-85 CO vacancies over the past year.
  • On September 12, 2023, Senator Manchin sent a letter to Attorney General Garland, Deputy Attorney General Monaco, and BOP Director Peters urging them to investigate conditions at Hazelton.
  • On July 14, 2023, Senator Manchin secured in the Appropriations Committee-passed FY24 Commerce-Justice-Science funding bill language expressing concern with staffing shortages at BOP facilities, and high-security facilities in particular. The bill also includes language supporting the IG’s initiative to devote more dedicated resources to allegations of BOP misconduct.
  • On May 17, 2023, Senator Manchin introduced the Federal Prison Oversight Act, bipartisan legislation that would create a new oversight structure to ensure transparency, safety, and accountability in federal correctional facilities.
  • On March 28, 2023, Senator Manchin questioned U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on addressing law enforcement personnel shortages in West Virginia, including at Hazelton.
  • On October 26, 2018, Senator Manchin wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to express concerns about staffing practices at the BOP.

Senator Manchin cosponsored the legislation with Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Mike Braun (R-IN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) introduced companion legislation in the House.

The full text of the legislation is available here.