Northwest PA News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and David Trone (MD-06) on June 14 introduced the Federal Prisons Accountability Act, a bill that aims to change the nomination process for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is the Justice Department’s largest agency, with about 37,500 budgeted positions, an annual budget of nearly $8 billion, and more than 150,000 inmates. Yet, it is the only Justice Department agency whose director is appointed by the Attorney General, is not subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate, and does not have a term limit. 

This bill will modify the appointment procedure for the Director of BOP by requiring a Presidential appointment and Senate confirmation. The bill will also limit the director to a single term of 10 years.

“The Federal Bureau of Prisons plays a critical public safety role. It is important the Director and the Bureau remain transparent and responsive to Members of Congress and the public at large,”  Congressman Thompson said. “The Federal Prisons Accountability Act will ensure the leadership of the Bureau of Prisons remains accountable.”

"To solve the most pressing issues facing the BOP, we need to have the right team – and that includes its leadership. I firmly believe that the current BOP Director, Collette Peters, has proven to be a strong leader, but I also believe future directors should go through the same vetting and confirmation process of Cabinet secretaries, " said Congressman David Trone, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force. "The Federal Prisons Accountability Act ensures that this vital and powerful position is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, allowing members of Congress to properly evaluate who's responsible for the hundreds of thousands of incarcerated people within the Bureau of Prisons."

"As the DOJ's Inspector General has consistently identified, the revolving door in the Bureau of Prisons Director's office has led to uncertainty, inconsistent priorities, the politicization of the agency, and extended periods of inaction. It is time for Congress to act and immediately reintroduce the Federal Prison Accountability Act requiring the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to be appointed only with the consent of the United States Senate. This is consistent with other large agency leadership within the executive branch and would bring the possibility of accountability and stability to an agency in crisis." - Shane Fausey, National President of the Council of Prison Locals

Original source can be found here.