Congressman Keller Reintroduces Federal Prisons Accountability Act

Statement

Today, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) reintroduced the Federal Prisons Accountability Act, bipartisan legislation that would bring further accountability to our nation's federal prison system by requiring the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate.

This legislation subjects the BOP Director to the same congressional review as other top law enforcement agency chiefs within DOJ, such as the FBI and ATF Directors and the DEA Administrator. Additionally, this legislation limits the term of the BOP director to one, 10-year term.

Congressman Keller's legislation comes one week after BOP Director Michael Carvajal announced his retirement on January 5, 2022.

Original co-sponsors of the legislation include: Representatives David Trone (MD-06), Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Darrell Issa (CA-50), Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14), Mary Miller (IL-15), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Don Bacon (NE-02), Mike Bost (IL-12), Jay Obernolte (CA-08), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), and David McKinley (WV-01).

On the legislation, Congressman Keller made the following statement:

"With the retirement of Director Carvajal, our legislation is not only timely to ensure that the American people have oversight over the future leadership of the BOP, but a critical step needed to address operational challenges like staffing shortages and inmate security. It's long overdue that the BOP is held to the same standard as other top law enforcement agencies in this country."

Shane Fausey, National President, Council of Prison Locals

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 the agency.

Jason Wojdylo, Vice President for Law Enforcement Operations, Federal Managers Association

"A presidentially appointed Director could bring a greater level of accountability to this Department of Justice agency that has struggled to judiciously transform it archaic programs and processes for the modern era. Accordingly, the Federal Managers Association, as the oldest and largest organization representing the interests of the 200,000 managers, supervisors, and executives serving in today's federal government, endorses passage of the Federal Prisons Accountability Act which will require the Director of BOP to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate."

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