Statement of Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons
September 18, 2013
Chairman Goodlatte: I am pleased to be here today at this hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). When I became Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in January of this year, I said that this Committee would play an active role in advancing an agenda to restore economic prosperity and fiscal responsibility to America.
This hearing is part of that agenda. The Department of Justice currently spends a third of its budget housing prisoners – and BOP’s population continues to grow, consuming even more taxpayer dollars every year. Given our current fiscal climate, it is our responsibility to ensure that every dollar spent is put to the wisest use.
The growth in BOP’s population has also led to increased over-crowding in federal prisons. As Chairman Sensenbrenner mentioned, earlier this year, Correctional Officer Eric Williams was tragically murdered by inmates while performing routine lockdown duties. According to reports, Officer Williams was assigned to oversee a unit of approximately 130 inmates on his own, with only keys, handcuffs, and a radio to protect himself.
In response to Officer Williams’ tragic death, BOP approved the use of pepper spray by correctional officers for all of the Department’s high-security prisons. This is a positive step following a horrible tragedy, but Congress and the Justice Department must also ensure that the BOP can safely and properly house federal inmates.
Both branches of government should also strive to deliver programs to inmates that are proven to reduce recidivism. The simple fact is that over 90 percent of federal inmates will be released from prison back into society, and will be our neighbors and co-workers. We can work to ensure that, upon their release, these individuals are able to become productive taxpayers, rather than more efficient criminals.
There is strong support from Members of Congress on both sides of the Capitol for current BOP programs that are proven to reduce recidivism. For example, inmates who participate in BOP’s most well-known program, the Residential Drug Abuse Program, or RDAP, are significantly less likely to recidivate and less likely to relapse to drug use than non-participants. However, RDAP is currently experiencing long waiting lines. I look forward to hearing from the Director how that can be addressed, and whether BOP has similar recidivism-reducing programs in development.
Another program that has been proven to reduce inmate recidivism is Federal Prison Industries, or FPI. FPI provides opportunities for training and work experience in textile and other forms of manufacturing to federal inmates. However, FPI has been severely restricted by Congress in recent years. In 1988, FPI employed 33 percent of the federal inmate population. It currently employs less than 10 percent of the population, which has forced BOP to close or downsize some 50 factories. While I support FPI’s mission, I also believe FPI must think creatively to avoid undue competition with American businesses. For example, FPI is currently running a repatriation pilot program, involving a few different products from places like China and South America. This is a positive start.
I look forward to hearing from Director Samuels today about the steps the Judiciary Committee can take to address these and other important issues in the area of prison management and recidivism reduction. It is my hope that this Committee and BOP can work on new and innovative ways to address BOP’s crowding and budget issues, protect its employees, and provide valuable training to inmates in a manner that doesn’t create undue competition with American companies.
This hearing is part of that agenda. The Department of Justice currently spends a third of its budget housing prisoners – and BOP’s population continues to grow, consuming even more taxpayer dollars every year. Given our current fiscal climate, it is our responsibility to ensure that every dollar spent is put to the wisest use.
The growth in BOP’s population has also led to increased over-crowding in federal prisons. As Chairman Sensenbrenner mentioned, earlier this year, Correctional Officer Eric Williams was tragically murdered by inmates while performing routine lockdown duties. According to reports, Officer Williams was assigned to oversee a unit of approximately 130 inmates on his own, with only keys, handcuffs, and a radio to protect himself.
In response to Officer Williams’ tragic death, BOP approved the use of pepper spray by correctional officers for all of the Department’s high-security prisons. This is a positive step following a horrible tragedy, but Congress and the Justice Department must also ensure that the BOP can safely and properly house federal inmates.
Both branches of government should also strive to deliver programs to inmates that are proven to reduce recidivism. The simple fact is that over 90 percent of federal inmates will be released from prison back into society, and will be our neighbors and co-workers. We can work to ensure that, upon their release, these individuals are able to become productive taxpayers, rather than more efficient criminals.
There is strong support from Members of Congress on both sides of the Capitol for current BOP programs that are proven to reduce recidivism. For example, inmates who participate in BOP’s most well-known program, the Residential Drug Abuse Program, or RDAP, are significantly less likely to recidivate and less likely to relapse to drug use than non-participants. However, RDAP is currently experiencing long waiting lines. I look forward to hearing from the Director how that can be addressed, and whether BOP has similar recidivism-reducing programs in development.
Another program that has been proven to reduce inmate recidivism is Federal Prison Industries, or FPI. FPI provides opportunities for training and work experience in textile and other forms of manufacturing to federal inmates. However, FPI has been severely restricted by Congress in recent years. In 1988, FPI employed 33 percent of the federal inmate population. It currently employs less than 10 percent of the population, which has forced BOP to close or downsize some 50 factories. While I support FPI’s mission, I also believe FPI must think creatively to avoid undue competition with American businesses. For example, FPI is currently running a repatriation pilot program, involving a few different products from places like China and South America. This is a positive start.
I look forward to hearing from Director Samuels today about the steps the Judiciary Committee can take to address these and other important issues in the area of prison management and recidivism reduction. It is my hope that this Committee and BOP can work on new and innovative ways to address BOP’s crowding and budget issues, protect its employees, and provide valuable training to inmates in a manner that doesn’t create undue competition with American companies.