Sexual assault and harassment of prison staff by inmates is a worryingly frequent issue, prompting Representatives Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) to introduce the bipartisan Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act.
Rep. Lee's bill would require the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Inspector General to compile a report of incidents that would be sent to Congress and then formulate a national standard of rules preventing, reducing, and punishing sexual assault and harassment of prison staff by inmates.
A February 2023 report from the Inspector General found that 7,334 survey respondents described reports of sexual assault and harassment, with 40% identifying as female and 59% identifying as male.
"It is unacceptable that nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff experience sexual harassment or assault by inmates. The Bureau of Prisons must do more to ensure the safety of corrections officers and to hold perpetrators accountable. The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act will provide oversight to the federal prison system and fight these abuses," said Rep. Lee in her press release.
"Federal correctional officers and other prison staff have very difficult jobs, and we must do all we can to help keep them safe. A recent report has shown unacceptable levels of sexual harassment and assault of Bureau of Prisons correctional officers, particularly female officers. Requiring the DOJ to conduct a comprehensive review and take concrete steps to reduce, prevent and punish sexual assault against BOP corrections officers is a good first step. I’m pleased to co-lead this effort with Sen. Ossoff and Congresswoman Lee and look forward to addressing this critical problem," added Rep. Johnson.
Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and John Ossoff (D-GA) introduced the Senate companion bill, with Sen. Blackburn saying, "Last year, nearly half of surveyed Bureau of Prisons staff stated they had been sexually harassed or assaulted by an inmate. This statistic is appalling and unacceptable. No federal employee or law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work, and the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would be an important step forward in ending sexual abuse of prison staff who are simply trying to do their jobs."
"I remain focused on oversight of the Federal prison system and ending sexual abuse in prisons and jails, including the abuse of prison staff. Senator Blackburn and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help end sexual abuse in Federal prisons," Sen. Ossoff said.
