U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Jon Ossoff have reintroduced the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, aiming to address sexual assault and harassment of Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees by inmates. The bill, which passed the Senate last year, seeks to provide better protection for prison staff.
Senator Blackburn emphasized the need for safety in law enforcement workplaces: “No law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work,” she said. Senator Ossoff reiterated his commitment to overseeing the federal prison system and eliminating sexual abuse: “I remain focused on oversight of the Federal prison system and ending sexual abuse in prisons and jails, including the abuse of prison staff.”
Representative Laurel Lee is set to reintroduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives. She stated, “It is unacceptable that nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff experience sexual harassment or assault by inmates.”
A report from February 2023 by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General revealed that 40% of surveyed BOP staff reported being sexually harassed or assaulted by an inmate.
The proposed act mandates several measures: full implementation of recommendations from a DOJ OIG report on mitigating inmate-on-staff harassment; analysis by DOJ OIG on punishments for such offenses; and a rule from the U.S. Attorney General setting national standards for prevention and punishment.
Endorsements come from various organizations, including the American Correctional Association, whose Executive Director Robert Green praised Senators Blackburn and Ossoff’s leadership. Patrick Yoes from the Fraternal Order of Police highlighted that this legislation would ensure safe working conditions for correctional officers. Brandy Moore White, National President of National Council of Prison Locals 33, urged Congress to support this act swiftly.
The bill’s reintroduction underscores ongoing efforts to protect federal prison staff and improve their working environment.
