Cassidy seeks to ensure proper dyslexia screening by Bureau of Prisons

To successfully transition inmates to a life of prosperity after their prison sentence, the cycle of recidivism must be broken by ensuring inmates are screened, identified and treated for dyslexia, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) wrote in a Feb. 10 letter sent to Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal.

Sen. Cassidy posed questions regarding the implementation of dyslexia screening as outlined in the First Step Act of 2018 (FSA). Sen. Cassidy championed these provisions to ensure that BOP screen inmates for dyslexia during the intake process and at each periodic risk assessment to improve literacy and reduce recidivism.

BOP also is directed to incorporate programs aimed at addressing an inmate’s dyslexia into its evidence-based recidivism reduction programs, and to provide statistics on the prevalence of dyslexia among prisoners in BOP prisons, according to the senator’s letter.

“Perhaps most importantly, the law also provides a clear, science-based definition for dyslexia, in addition to a clear, science-based definition for what a dyslexia screening program should entail,” wrote Sen. Cassidy. 

Nevertheless, after reviewing the Attorney General’s December 2020 First Step Act Section 3634 Annual Report, Sen. Cassidy wrote that he now has more questions than answers with regards to how these provisions were implemented by BOP. 

“The report accurately states that the FSA requires BOP to use a screening program that is psychometrically valid, efficient, low cost, and readily available when screening inmates for dyslexia,” he wrote. “However, based on the report and previous correspondence with BOP, it is clear that the screening program was developed in-house by BOP, which brings into question how the screening program was developed and whether it is psychometrically valid as required by the FSA?” 

Sen. Cassidy noted that there must be accountability in the system and he asked Carvajal to explain why BOP did or did not conduct an analysis to ensure validity, among other questions.