U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) this week sponsored bipartisan legislation to address sexual harassment and sexual assault of federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff in prisons.
“No law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work,” Sen. Blackburn said. “The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would help us end the sexual abuse of prison staff who are simply trying to do their jobs.”
The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, S. 307, which is cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), would require the BOP to fully implement the recommendations in the Inspector General’s (OIG) 2023 report regarding mitigating inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and assault and fully ascertaining the scope of the problem, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Blackburn’s staff.
Specifically, the U.S. Department of Justice OIG would conduct an analysis of punishments for sexual harassment and sexual assault in BOP facilities, while the U.S. Attorney General would promulgate a rule adopting national standards for prevention, reduction, and punishment of sexual assault and harassment of BOP staff by inmates, the summary says.
“I remain focused on oversight of the federal prison system and ending sexual abuse in prisons and jails, including the abuse of prison staff,” said Sen. Ossoff. “Sen. Blackburn and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help end sexual abuse in federal prisons.”
U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) introduced the same-named bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“It is unacceptable that nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff experience sexual harassment or assault by inmates. The Bureau of Prisons must take stronger action to protect corrections officers and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Rep. Lee. “That is why I am reintroducing the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act to provide much-needed oversight to the federal prison system and to combat these ongoing abuses.”
The legislation is supported by the American Correctional Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Council of Prison Locals 33.