Duckworth, Booker Reintroduce Legislation To Improve Disaster Response And Recovery Plans In Prisons

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today reintroduced legislation that would ensure prison disaster plans protect the health, safety and rights of incarcerated individuals during emergencies. The Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act would require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to submit annual damage reports after disasters, require the National Institute of Correction (NIC) to hold field hearings on how to better incorporate considerations for incarcerated individuals in its emergency plans and expand its membership by authorizing four new members: a formerly incarcerated person, emergency coordinator, public health expert and a BOP labor union representative.

“Incarcerated individuals rely on staff to provide necessities and decide whether to evacuate to a safer location—leaving them particularly vulnerable,” said Senator Duckworth. “This legislation would help ensure the prioritization of the health and safety of incarcerated individuals during emergencies by better assessing damages sustained from these disasters, taking corrective actions to resolve preparedness gaps and seeking input from professionals, as well as formerly incarcerated individuals.”

“Emergency planning for our correctional facilities has often been inadequate, putting the lives of incarcerated individuals and correctional staff at risk,” said Senator Booker. “The Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act would improve emergency planning, incorporate expert guidance, and ultimately protect the lives and dignity of everyone in federal prisons during a major disaster.”

U.S. Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA-36) has introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Incarcerated individuals are particularly vulnerable during major disasters, as they rely on staff to provide basic necessities and decide whether to evacuate to a safer location. Unfortunately, reports of health and safety violations within the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and State prisons highlight that correctional facilities are not fully prepared to provide safe conditions for all incarcerated individuals.

The full text of the bill can be found on Senator Duckworth’s website.

The bill is supported by JustLeadershipUSA.

“We want to thank Sens. Duckworth and Booker and Rep. Lieu for bringing the Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act before Congress once again. This legislation is literally a matter of life or death for people who are incarcerated. While other places of congregate living—such as nursing homes, college dormitories, hospitals, and hotels—are all required by law to have emergency plans in place for occupancy, the Bureau of Prisons has only taken a portion of the steps needed to ensure procedures, and the infrastructure to properly implement them, are codified in policy,” said DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO of JustLeadershipUSA. “This is a shocking and inhumane reality that can and should be addressed as soon as possible. It is urgent that Congress take immediate measures and pass legislation to begin taking the necessary steps to put policies and procedures in place to protect not only the valuable lives of people behind bars but also the correctional staff who work inside those facilities. Even in this challenging political climate, we sincerely hope this common sense legislation can receive the bipartisan support it deserves.”

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