July 11, 2024

Senate Passes Manchin’s Bipartisan, Bicameral Federal Prison Oversight Act

Washington, DC –Yesterday, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) applauded the Senate passage of his bipartisan, bicameral Federal Prison Oversight Act. Senator Manchin cosponsored this legislation to create a new oversight structure to ensure greater transparency, safety, and accountability in federal correctional facilities. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed this commonsense legislation and it now heads to the President’s desk.

“I’m pleased the Senate passed our bipartisan Federal Prison Oversight Act, which will overhaul federal prison oversight and improve safety for staff and inmates,” said Senator Manchin. “This commonsense legislation is especially important after the serious reports of abuses, staff shortages, and dangerous conditions at federal prisons in West Virginia and across the country. I fought hard to secure a much-needed pay raise for staff at Federal Correctional Complex Hazelton, and this legislation furthers my goal of improving safety and accountability for all federal prison facilities. I look forward to President Biden swiftly signing our legislation into law.”

“Our bipartisan Federal Prison Oversight Act has passed the Senate. This is a major milestone. My bipartisan Senate investigations of corruption, abuse, and misconduct in the Federal prison system have revealed an urgent need to overhaul Federal prison oversight,” said Senator Ossoff. “I now look forward to President Biden signing our bipartisan bill into law.”

“More transparency and accountability will create a safer environment for correctional officers and staff who work in our federal prisons as well as the inmates incarcerated in them. This bill does not allow the Department of Justice to intervene into the affairs of state and local jails, and will help to improve working conditions and keep our federal corrections officers safe,” said Senator Braun.

“Restoring integrity to the Bureau of Prisons and addressing mismanagement in correctional facilities is a top priority of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bipartisan bill would improve prison oversight and ensure the Bureau is fulfilling its duty to provide safe and humane conditions of confinement to prepare incarcerated individuals for a successful return to society. I’m glad the Senate passed our bill and look forward to President Biden signing it into law,” said Senator Durbin.

“Investigations into our Federal prisons produced shocking and alarming findings,” said Senator Capito. “I was incredibly upset to read reports of misconduct by some prison officials, see the conditions of some facilities, and hear stories about 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.”

“Following horrific stories of abuse and misconduct at prisons across the country, we need to take steps to ensure the health and safety of incarcerated individuals and prison staff. This bipartisan legislation does that by improving oversight of federal prisons,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed it, and I urge President Biden to sign it into law quickly.” 

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.