We post news and comment on federal criminal justice issues, focused primarily on trial and post-conviction matters, legislative initiatives, and sentencing issues.

BOP REMAINS TERRIBLE EMPLOYER EVEN AS CONGRESS MOVES TO BRING AGENCY UNDER CONTROL

The Federal Bureau of Prisons again grabbed the bottom spot on the annual Partnership for Public Service “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government” survey.

The BOP ranked 459 out of 459 government subcomponent agencies overall, garnering the bottom score in effective leadership, mission match, employee recognition, diversity, work-life balance and professional development. In categories in which the BOP was not last–such as “effective senior leadership–it nonetheless ranked within five of dead last.  Coming in at 455 of 459 is hardly a reason for celebration.

Back in 2015, the agency was in the middle of the pack (53% of federal agencies worse)), but fell in 2016 to 36% and in 2018 to 12%. By 2021, the BOP was in the bottom 1% of federal agencies, where it has stayed.

In a perhaps-related development, the House of Representatives last Tuesday passed the Federal Prison Oversight Act, a bill introduced by Reps Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Kelly Armstrong (R–ND). By a vote of 392-2, the House approved the measure, which would require the DOJ Inspector General to conduct comprehensive, risk-based inspections of the BOP’s 122 facilities, provide recommendations to fix problems and assign each prison a risk score, with higher-risk facilities required to be inspected more often.

The BOP would be required to respond to all IG reports within 60 days with a plan of corrective action.

The bill would also create an independent ombudsman position, The ombudsman would investigate complaints lodged by inmates, their families and staff.

“Incarcerated Americans should not fear death when they enter our Federal prison system, and correctional officers should not fear for their safety in their workplace,” McBath said. “Our Federal prisons must serve as institutions that rehabilitate and prepare Americans for reentry into society, and that cannot happen without putting meaningful accountability measures in place.”

A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Mike Braun (R–IN) and Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL).

Partnership for Public Service, Best Places to Work in the Federal Government (May 22, 2024)

Federal Prison Oversight Act (HR 3019)

Reason, House Passes a Bill To Create Independent Oversight of the Troubled Federal Prison System (May 22, 2024)

Sen Jon Ossoff, U.S. House Passes Sens Ossoff, Braun, & Durbin, Rep McBath & Armstrong’s Bipartisan Bill to Overhaul Federal Prison Oversight (May 21, 2024)

– Thomas L. Root