WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new bill presented Monday in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) is designed to combat the massive increase in reported sex crimes committed by inmates against federal corrections officers.
The new House version of the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act compliments the Senate version introduced in an exclusive release to Law Enforcement Today by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in September.
Lee, the Republican co-sponsor of the new bill, said in a press release, "It is unacceptable that nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff experience sexual harassment or assault by inmates. The Bureau of Prisons must do more to ensure the safety of corrections officers and to hold perpetrators accountable. The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act will provide oversight to the federal prison system and fight these abuses."
The bill as previously reported would provide the incoming Trump Administration Department of Justice’s Inspector General one year from its signing to complete a full statistical review of all sexual assault and harassment cases allegedly committed by inmates against federal prison guards. The study will analyze the punishments meted out by the Dept. of Corrections and requires a full report to be issued to the House and Senate 180 days later.
Blackburn commented in the release, "Last year, nearly half of surveyed Bureau of Prisons staff stated they had been sexually harassed or assaulted by an inmate. This statistic is appalling and unacceptable. No federal employee or law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work, and the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would be an important step forward in ending sexual abuse of prison staff who are simply trying to do their jobs.”
Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes said in a statement, “Federal correctional officers and other prison staff deserve the same standards of safety as law enforcement patrolling our communities. The staggering number of documented sexual assault incidents highlights the dangerous environment in which our officers and other staff operate.
"They deserve a safe working environment free from violence and abuse. This legislation would require the Inspector General to conduct reviews and analysis into cases of sexual harassment that we believe will lead to rule changes that will hold inmates accountable and safeguard the basic human rights and dignity of prison employees.”
The new House version of the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act compliments the Senate version introduced in an exclusive release to Law Enforcement Today by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in September.
Lee, the Republican co-sponsor of the new bill, said in a press release, "It is unacceptable that nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff experience sexual harassment or assault by inmates. The Bureau of Prisons must do more to ensure the safety of corrections officers and to hold perpetrators accountable. The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act will provide oversight to the federal prison system and fight these abuses."
Nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff reported experiencing sexual harassment or assault at the hands of inmates. This is unacceptable.
— Congresswoman Laurel Lee (@RepLaurelLee) November 18, 2024
Today, @RepHankJohnson and I introduced the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act to provide oversight to the federal prison system and fight…
The bill as previously reported would provide the incoming Trump Administration Department of Justice’s Inspector General one year from its signing to complete a full statistical review of all sexual assault and harassment cases allegedly committed by inmates against federal prison guards. The study will analyze the punishments meted out by the Dept. of Corrections and requires a full report to be issued to the House and Senate 180 days later.
Blackburn commented in the release, "Last year, nearly half of surveyed Bureau of Prisons staff stated they had been sexually harassed or assaulted by an inmate. This statistic is appalling and unacceptable. No federal employee or law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work, and the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would be an important step forward in ending sexual abuse of prison staff who are simply trying to do their jobs.”
Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes said in a statement, “Federal correctional officers and other prison staff deserve the same standards of safety as law enforcement patrolling our communities. The staggering number of documented sexual assault incidents highlights the dangerous environment in which our officers and other staff operate.
"They deserve a safe working environment free from violence and abuse. This legislation would require the Inspector General to conduct reviews and analysis into cases of sexual harassment that we believe will lead to rule changes that will hold inmates accountable and safeguard the basic human rights and dignity of prison employees.”
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