What does Preamble of HR 2879 do?

This bill directs the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to conduct a comprehensive review of understaffing across the Bureau. The bill's stated purpose is to address understaffing within the Bureau of Prisons.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 2879 do?

This bill is formally titled the Prison Staffing Reform Act of 2025.

What does FINDINGS. of HR 2879 do?

This section outlines findings regarding understaffing within the Bureau of Prisons. The Bureau of Prisons operates 121 institutions and employs approximately 35,000 individuals. Understaffing is stated to jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of both staff and inmates. Inmates facing understaffing may experience limited access to medical care, casework review, sanitary conditions, recidivism programs, and protection from abuse. Understaffing is also identified as a cause for reduced staff safety, workplace abuse, and stressful working conditions. The use of mandated overtime and employee reassignments is linked to reduced prison security and a threat to public safety.

What does COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF UNDERSTAFFING ACROSS BUREAU OF PRISONS. of HR 2879 do?

This section mandates a comprehensive review of understaffing within the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The review, to be completed within 180 days of the Act's enactment, must assess staffing levels, employee impact, and agency spending. The BOP Director must submit a plan for recruiting, filling vacancies, and strengthening staffing, along with staffing requirement guidelines. The external review must be conducted by a non-BOP organization, consulting with various groups including the Council of Prison Locals C-33, civil rights organizations, and those focused on recidivism reduction. The review must identify and address the effects of understaffing on areas such as healthcare access, compassionate release processing, security, and employee well-being. An independent review of medical care quality, conducted by entities like the National Academy of Medicine, is required. The review must also compare BOP’s staffing assessment methodologies and include a 3-year strategic plan with cost projections. The BOP Director is required to implement the submitted plan within three years, subject to appropriations. Annual progress reports on plan implementation must be submitted to specified committees and the Council of Prison Locals C-33.

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Prison Staffing Reform Act of 2025 — HR. 2879

Last updated: 4/10/2025 · Introduced: 4/10/2025

Author: Jay Obernolte (R-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to conduct a comprehensive review of understaffing, assessing staffing levels, employee impact, and agency spending within 180 days of enactment.
The Bureau of Prisons Director must submit a three-year plan to recruit and retain staff, strengthen staffing, and address the effects of understaffing on healthcare, security, and employee well-being, subject to appropriations.
An independent review of medical care quality within the Bureau of Prisons is mandated, to be conducted by entities like the National Academy of Medicine.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

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