Today the House Subcommittee on Responsiveness and Accountability To Oversight and the House Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance are hosting a joint hearing on Bureau of Prisons oversight, amidst an unprecedented crisis of prison understaffing, overcrowding, and deteriorating facilities. This moment reflects both a growing concern from Congress about the safety and security of federal prisons as well as a rising call for change from people who both live and work in prisons.

Ahead of today’s hearing, members of the Safer Prisons, Safer Prisons campaign released the following statements:

“For far too long, the Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by critical issues of overcrowding, understaffing, crumbling infrastructure, and unsafe environments for the people who live and work in our prison facilities,” said Daniel Landsman, Vice President of Policy of FAMM (formerly called Families Against Mandatory Minimums). “We are grateful to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Crime and Oversight Subcommittees for holding today's hearing. The crisis-level understaffing at the BOP has only exacerbated the problems that have impacted incarcerated people, correctional staff, and their families for decades. It is time to continue bipartisan work in Congress to bring about comprehensive solutions to the myriad of problems within the BOP.”

“When the people asked to carry out a system’s mission feel respected, included, and invested in it, they become partners in its success. Without that buy-in, even the best-intentioned reforms will struggle to take hold,” said Andy Potter, Founder and Executive Director of non-profit One Voice United, who delivered testimony at today’s hearing. “That is why it’s so important for Congress to shine a light on these issues and listen to the people who live and work in federal prisons. If we are willing to engage with one another and listen to those who know the problems and solutions best, we can build a corrections system that is safer, stronger, and more effective for everyone it touches.”

“As someone who has dedicated my life to a career in corrections, today’s hearing cannot be understated as a critical step forward at a moment of profound need,” said Scott Semple, Former Commissioner of Connecticut Department of Correction. “The crisis in our prisons must be confronted, and it will take all of us to make sustainable change. This is a multifaceted, complex crisis that touches federal, state, and county prisons alike. It is my hope that all states, as well as Congress, join in finding solutions to the crisis of prison understaffing, overcrowding, and failing conditions.”

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About Safer Prisons, Safer Communities

Founded in early 2024, the Safer Prisons, Safer Communities campaign is led by One Voice United, which represents the voices of correctional employees, and FAMM, which represents incarcerated people and their families.

Driven by the dire conditions inside our nation’s prisons, the campaign brings together seemingly unlikely allies to advocate for reforms that will improve the lives of corrections officers and incarcerated people alike, improve rehabilitation and reintegration opportunities, and enhance community safety.