President Barack Obama recently signed legislation into law that was supported by U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) to protect federal correctional officers.
The Eric Williams Correctional Officers Protection Act, S. 238, amends the federal criminal code to require the director of the Bureau of Prisons to issue protective spray to correctional officers. It also authorizes correctional officers to use the spray to curb violence.
Eric Williams was a federal correctional officer who was murdered inside the Canaan Federal Correctional Complex in Pennsylvania. Williams was assigned to oversee a unit of 130 inmates with only handcuffs, keys and a radio.
“I am pleased the president has signed this critical, lifesaving legislation into law” Marino said. “Eric Williams was a promising young man and a dedicated public servant. He served day-in and day-out in some of the most dangerous environments within our criminal justice system. While this will not bring back Eric or others we have lost in the line of duty, I am confident it will help protect our officers and other inmates from violent attacks in the future.”
Under the bill, the comptroller general will be required to report to Congress on the effectiveness of issuing spray to correctional officers in reducing violence and to make recommendations to improve safety for federal correctional officers.