[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H6008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMENDING EDEN DETENTION CENTER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Conaway) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with concerns about a recently 
issued memo from the Department of Justice to the Acting Director of 
the Bureau of Prisons directing the nonrenewal or reduction of 
contracts with private detention facilities. I strongly disagree with 
this policy change, as private prisons play a critical role in our 
current Federal Bureau of Prisons system.
  One facility in particular, the Eden Detention Center, located in 
Texas' 11th District, is an excellent example of a private prison 
operating in an efficient, effective, secure, and safe manner for both 
the community and those incarcerated.
  Let me take a moment to brag about these constituents.
  The American Correctional Association has awarded the Eden Detention 
facility a 100 percent score on their mandatory requirements, and a 
99.08 percent score on nonmandatory requirements. These are undoubtedly 
phenomenal rankings by any measure, and the Eden facility meets these 
high standards at considerably lower costs than similar Federal 
facilities.
  Eden is more than a detention facility; it is a rehabilitation 
center. The Bureau of Prisons has long placed significance on 
rehabilitating those incarcerated, directing facilities to invest in 
the lives of their inmates. The goal--to turn individuals from a life 
of crime to contributing members of society--is at the center of the 
Eden facility's mission.
  It is this responsibility for one's fellow man that the people of 
Eden understand and put into practice daily, providing inmates with 
extensive training, educational services, and recreation, all for the 
purpose of improving life after incarceration.
  The Eden facility has partnered with many civic and charitable 
organizations in the surrounding community to support this goal. As a 
result, the center is able to provide many vocational, computer, and 
life skills training opportunities, as well as educational 
opportunities for basic adult education, English language training, 
GED, a full library, a law library, and much more.
  The Bureau of Prisons takes extreme pride--and rightfully so--in a 
strong value system that includes, but is not limited to, respect, 
integrity, service, safety for all parties, successful rehabilitation, 
and exceptional staff and operations. I am proud to report that Eden 
and the greater community not only meet these core values, but they 
share them as well.

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