Rep. Laurel Lee Reintroduces Legislation to Prevent Sexual Assault Against Prison Staff

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) reintroduced the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act to end the epidemic of sexual assaults on prison staff by inmates within the prison system. 

According to a February 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG), a staggering 40% of 7,000 surveyed Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff stated they had been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted by an inmate.

“It is unacceptable that nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff experience sexual harassment or assault by inmates. The Bureau of Prisons must take stronger action to protect corrections officers and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “That is why I am reintroducing the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act to provide much-needed oversight to the federal prison system and to combat these ongoing abuses.”

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) introduced companion legislation in the United States Senate last Congress and are reintroducing the bill this week.

“No law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would help us end the 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,” said Senator Ossoff. “Senator Blackburn and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help end sexual abuse in Federal prisons.”

THE PRISON STAFF SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ACT:

The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would require: 

• The DOJ OIG to conduct a comprehensive statistical review and analysis of the incidence and effects of sexual harassment and assault perpetrated by federal inmates against BOP staff;
• The U.S. Attorney General to report the findings of the Inspector General’s review to Congress; and
• The U.S. Attorney General to promulgate a rule adopting national standards for prevention, reduction, and punishment of sexual assault and harassment of BOP staff by inmates.

Read the bill text here.

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