We post news and comment on federal criminal justice issues, focused primarily on trial and post-conviction matters, legislative initiatives, and sentencing issues.
CONGRESS MAKES BOP RIDE THE BACK OF THE “MINIBUS”
The $460 billion spending bill that funds about half the federal government through September 30th was sent to President Biden last Friday, averting (yet another) government shutdown.
The bill includes six federal appropriations bills – the so-called “minibus” (as opposed to “omnibus”) provisions covering agriculture, energy, transportation and justice programs – must make Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters wonder why she shouldn’t just skip the next congressional hearing to which she’s called in favor of a game of pickleball.
After she has explained, the employees’ union bosses have explained, the Government Accounting Office has explained, and the Dept of Justice Inspector General has explained that the BOP’s severe staffing shortfall and crumbling infrastructure can only be fixed by the application of money, Congress cut the BOP’s maintenance budget by 38%, from $180 million down to $110 million, well below the 2023 level.
What’s as bad, the budget leaves salaries flat “despite mounting concerns about safety and staffing at BOP,” according to Fed Manager. The minibus includes $8.4 billion for the agency — on par with fiscal 2023 and about $250 million below the White House’s initial proposal for 2024.
AFGE Union Council of Prison Locals National President Brandy Moore White promptly condemned the bill: “Failing to provide the Bureau of Prisons with the funding it desperately needs to address staffing, safety, and security issues will make it even harder for employees to do their jobs and make our prisons more dangerous environments both for employees and inmates.”
Certainly, this doesn’t make any BOP resolution to its staffing shortfall any easier. The staffing crisis affects everything from lockdowns to FSA credit programs. The maintenance budget cut will give Peters a chance to do more for less. Maybe get blood from a turnip. But more likely just let her get chastised by Congressional grandstanders at hearings for not have the tools needed to get the job done. Tools that Congress refuses to provide.
New York Times, Senate Clears $460 Billion Bill to Avert Partial Shutdown, Sending It to Biden (March 8, 2024)
Fed Manager, Details on Spending Bills Released, as Congress Works to Avoid Shutdown (March 5, 2024)
Federal News Network, 6-bill minibus rewards some agencies, while slashing budgets for others (March 5, 2024)
AFGE, Budget deal fails to provide agency with needed funding to address staffing, safety, and security issues (March 6, 2024)
– Thomas L. Root