Crime Subcommittee to Hold Oversight Hearing on the Federal Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Marshals Service

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee will hold an oversight hearing on the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and United States Marshals Service (USMS). This hearing is the third in a series to examine the Justice Department and its components in order to identify matters that are in need of reform. The BOP and USMS, components of the Justice Department, have not undergone a reauthorization since 2005 and their authorizations for appropriations expired in 2009. At the hearing, members of the Crime Subcommittee will examine the missions and operations of the BOP and USMS. The BOP protects communities by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient, and appropriately secure, and that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens. BOP operates 122 institutions located throughout the United States, which are operated at five different security levels in order to confine offenders in an appropriate manner. The USMS employs over 5,000 deputies and civil servants who protect the judicial process. As part of its mission, the USMS provides federal judicial security, apprehends fugitives and noncompliant sex offenders, secures and transports federal prisoners, executes federal court orders, seizes and manages assets forfeited to the government, and assures the safety of endangered government witnesses and their families. Witnesses for the hearing are:

• The Honorable Thomas R. Kane, Ph.D., Acting Director, BOP
• The Honorable David Harlow, Acting Director, USMS

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) issued the statements below in advance of this hearing. Chairman Goodlatte: “Every day, the men and women working in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Marshals Service protect our communities and carry out justice. Among their responsibilities, these law enforcement officers maintain the safety of federal prisons, prepare and help offenders re-enter society, apprehend fugitives of the law, and provide federal judicial security. This week, the Crime Subcommittee will examine the missions and operations of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Marshals Service in order to make sure these agencies have the necessary tools to do their jobs, and to identify areas for reform and cost savings.” Subcommittee Chairman Gowdy: “The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and United States Marshals Service (USMS) play a critical role in detaining and housing criminals, protecting the safety of our citizens, and enforcing the law. I look forward to hearing from the heads of BOP and USMS on Wednesday to examine Congress’ role in supporting their missions and operations, and identify areas in need of improvement.” This hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at judiciary.house.gov.  Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.