[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H9826-H9828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRISON CAMERA REFORM ACT OF 2021
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 2899) to require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to
address deficiencies and make necessary upgrades to the security camera
and radio systems of the Bureau of Prisons to ensure the health and
safety of employees and inmates.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 2899
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Prison Camera Reform Act of
2021''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Bureau of Prisons has 122 institutions located
throughout the United States. The Bureau of Prisons employs
nearly 38,000 employees and is responsible for more than
150,000 Federal inmates.
(2) Video footage from security camera systems and reliable
communication over radio systems within Bureau of Prisons
institutions are essential to protecting the health and
safety of Bureau of Prisons employees and Federal inmates.
(3) Based on the experience of Bureau of Prisons
correctional staff, the noticeable presence of functioning
security cameras serves as an effective deterrent to criminal
behavior and misconduct.
(4) Well-documented deficiencies of camera systems at
Bureau of Prisons' facilities have hindered investigators'
ability to substantiate allegations of serious misconduct by
staff and inmates, including sexual and physical assaults,
medical neglect, and introduction of contraband.
(5) In a 2016 report, the Office of the Inspector General
for the Department of Justice determined that ``deficiencies
within the BOP's security camera system have affected the
OIG's ability to secure prosecutions of staff and inmates in
BOP contraband introduction cases, and these same problems
adversely impact the availability of critical evidence to
support administrative or disciplinary action against staff
and inmates''.
(6) Shortcomings in the land-mobile radio systems at Bureau
of Prison facilities institutions impede the communication
abilities of staff, slowing or preventing the response of
correctional officers during an emergency or threat of
attack, and jeopardizing the safety of both staff and Federal
inmates.
SEC. 3. REQUIRED PLAN FOR REFORM OF BOP SECURITY CAMERA AND
RADIO COVERAGE AND CAPABILITIES.
(a) Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons
shall--
(1) evaluate the security camera, land-mobile radio
(referred to in this Act as ``LMR''), and public address
(referred to in this Act as ``PA'') systems in use by the
Bureau of Prisons as of the date of enactment of this Act;
and
(2) submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate
and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives a plan for ensuring that all Bureau of
Prisons correctional facilities have the security camera,
LMR, and PA system coverage and capabilities necessary to--
(A) ensure the health and safety of staff and Federal
inmates; and
(B) ensure the documentation and accessibility of video
evidence that may pertain to misconduct by staff or inmates,
negligent or abusive treatment of inmates, or criminal
activity within correctional facilities.
(b) Contents.--The plan required under subsection (a)
shall--
[[Page H9827]]
(1) identify and include plans to address any deficiencies
in the security camera system in use at Bureau of Prisons
correctional facilities, including those related to--
(A) an insufficient number of cameras;
(B) inoperable or malfunctioning cameras;
(C) blind spots;
(D) poor quality video; and
(E) any other deficits in the security camera system;
(2) identify and include plans to adopt and maintain any
security camera system upgrades needed to achieve the
purposes described in subsection (a), including--
(A) conversion of all analog cameras to digital
surveillance systems, with corresponding infrastructure and
equipment upgrade requirements;
(B) upgrades to ensure the secure storage, logging,
preservation, and accessibility of recordings such that the
recordings are available to investigators or Courts at such
time as may be reasonably required; and
(C) additional enterprise-wide camera system capabilities
needed to enhance the safety and security of inmates and
staff;
(3) identify and include plans to address any deficiencies
in the LMR and PA systems in use at Bureau of Prisons
correctional facilities, including those related to--
(A) an inadequate number of radios;
(B) inoperable, outdated, or malfunctioning LMR or PA
systems;
(C) areas of Bureau of Prisons correctional facilities that
lack adequate reception for radio operation;
(D) radios that lack an emergency notification feature
(also known as a ``man down'' function), which automatically
sends an alert and transmits the location of that radio in
the event the wearer is in a prone position; and
(E) any other deficits in the LMR or PA systems;
(4) include an assessment of operational and logistical
considerations in implementing the plan required under
subsection (a), including--
(A) a prioritization of facilities for needed upgrades,
beginning with high security institutions;
(B) the personnel and training necessary to implement the
changes; and
(C) ongoing repair and maintenance requirements; and
(5) include a 3-year strategic plan and cost projection for
implementing the changes and upgrades to the security camera,
LMR, and PA systems identified under paragraphs (1) through
(4).
(c) Implementation Deadline.--Not later than 3 years after
the date on which the plan is submitted under subsection
(a)(2), and subject to appropriations, the Director of the
Bureau of Prisons shall complete implementation of the
submitted plan.
(d) Annual Progress Reports.--Beginning 1 year after the
date on which the plan is submitted under subsection (a)(2),
and each year thereafter until the end of the 3-year period
described in subsection (c), the Director of the Bureau of
Prisons shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives a report on the progress of the
implementation of the submitted plan.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Spartz) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on S. 2899.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, S. 2899, the Prison Camera Reform Act of 2021, is
bipartisan legislation that would require the Bureau of Prisons to
evaluate the security camera, land-mobile radio, and public address
systems in use at the BOP institutions, submit to Congress a report on
any deficiencies, and implement a plan for needed improvements.
In 2016, the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General issued
a report on deficiencies within BOP camera systems. The report found
that camera deficiencies affected the ability to secure prosecutions of
staff and incarcerated individuals in cases involving introduction of
contraband in BOP facilities and adversely affected the availability of
critical evidence to support administrative or disciplinary action
against staff and incarcerated individuals.
Following that report, BOP took some action to improve the camera
systems. However, their efforts have proved insufficient. A follow-up
OIG memo in 2021 found that of the over 24,000 cameras across all BOP
institutions, 86 percent, more than 20,000, are still analog or utilize
old technology. Analog cameras produce poor-quality video, have limited
coverage, and contribute to dangerous or unsafe areas within BOP
institutions.
A fully digital camera system would produce improved video quality
and coverage, enhanced search capabilities, and expand video storage
periods of between 60 and 120 days. These capabilities would improve
the BOP's threat assessments, monitoring, and contraband interdictions.
Improving BOP camera systems will create safer institutions for both
correctional staff and incarcerated individuals.
Tragic cases of officer assaults against individuals while
incarcerated often rely on camera footage as evidence, but outdated
technology makes holding these officers accountable even more
difficult.
This bill would require the BOP to investigate and address
deficiencies in the camera and radio systems across all institutions.
The BOP would also be required to implement all needed improvements
within 3 years and to submit annual progress reports. The significant
oversight mechanisms within this legislation will enable Congress to
hold the BOP accountable and ensure that all deficiencies are addressed
within the specified time period.
Security camera systems within prisons are critical for protecting
the safety, well-being, and civil rights of both incarcerated people
and prison employees.
This bipartisan measure would require the BOP to investigate and
address these critical safety concerns and ensure that the improvements
will, in fact, be made by including significant congressional
oversight.
I thank Representatives Keller, McBath, and Trone, as well as Senator
Ossoff, for introducing this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support the bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
S. 2899 requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to evaluate
the security camera, radio, and public address systems in all BOP
facilities and to submit a report to Congress with a plan to address
the deficiencies.
Once the report is submitted, BOP has 3 years to implement the system
upgrades as detailed in the report. The bill also requires the BOP to
submit annual progress reports to Congress on the implementation of the
submitted plan.
In 2016, the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of
Justice published a report identifying major problems with the BOP's
security cameras. These problems included security cameras with blind
spots, cameras that were inoperable, cameras with poor video quality,
and other serious deficiencies.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller).
Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak in support of S.
2899, the Prison Camera Reform Act of 2021.
Our team, along with Congresswoman McBath, introduced the House
companion to this bill, which requires the Bureau of Prisons to
evaluate their security cameras and address deficiencies so that the
Bureau of Prisons can keep correctional officers and inmates safe,
oversee misconduct, and limit contraband.
As the chair of the Congressional Bureau of Prisons Reform Caucus,
our team has facilitated several meetings with officials from the
Bureau of Prisons and the Council of Prison Locals.
During these meetings, we heard from corrections officers about major
deficiencies and needed upgrades within the BOP's security camera
system. These deficiencies have made it harder for corrections officers
to protect themselves and maintain secure facilities.
The Prison Camera Reform Act works to address these concerns,
requiring the BOP to evaluate current conditions of equipment and
formulate a plan on how they will address any deficiencies identified.
The outstanding men and women who work in our Nation's correctional
facilities deal with dangerous situations
[[Page H9828]]
every day. They deserve the tools and support necessary to keep
themselves and the inmates whom they protect safe from harm.
Shane Fausey and Steve Markle, with the Council of Prison Locals,
have been tireless advocates for America's corrections officers and
staff, and their sage counsel was vital in developing the Prison Camera
Reform Act, which has been a top legislative priority for our BOP
Reform Caucus.
While the BOP faces many challenges, passing the Prison Camera Reform
Act would be a major step forward for the agency, corrections officers,
and security of America's Federal prisons.
{time} 1830
Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, the lack of adequate camera systems puts the
safety of both incarcerated individuals and correctional officers and
staff at risk.
The Prison Camera Reform Act of 2021 is bipartisan legislation that
takes an important step toward making much-needed improvements.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, S. 2899, the ``Prison Camera Reform Act
of 2021,'' is bipartisan legislation that would require the Bureau of
Prisons to evaluate the security camera, land-mobile radio, and public
address systems in use at BOP institutions and submit to Congress a
report on any deficiencies and a plan to implement needed improvements.
Security camera systems within prisons are critical for protecting
the safety, wellbeing and civil rights of both incarcerated people and
prison employees, including correctional officers, medical personnel
and other staff.
Documented deficiencies in the federal Bureau of Prisons' security
camera systems, however, limit the effectiveness of that protection.
A 2016, DOJ Office of Inspector General report identified major
deficiencies and needed upgrades within the BOP's security camera
system, including blind spots, inoperable cameras and limited
functionality.
In a 2021 memo, OIG reaffirmed the 2016 report stating that ``the OIG
continues to see the same deficiencies in our investigations that we
observed during our 2016 review. These deficiencies have negatively
impacted the OIG's investigations and ability to secure prosecution of
serious incidents in BOP institutions, including sexual assaults, civil
rights violations, introduction of contraband, dereliction of duty, and
even inmate deaths.''
Although BOP has begun upgrading these systems at some institutions,
serious shortcomings remain.
This bill would require BOP to investigate and address deficiencies
in the camera and radio systems across all institutions.
BOP would also be required to implement all needed improvements
within three years and submit annual progress reports. The significant
oversight mechanisms within this legislation will enable Congress to
hold BOP accountable and ensure all deficiencies are addressed within
the specified time period.
``Dead spots'' in video surveillance coverage inside FCI Dublin in
California may have even contributed to the lack of accountability for
the sexual abuse committed against incarcerated women in that facility.
Earlier this month, a former unit manager at FCI Dublin testified
that the facility lacked sufficient security camera coverage and that
many cameras are either not monitored or footage is deleted. The former
warden is relying heavily on the lack of video footage in his defense
against the sexual assault case.
This tragic story highlights the need to address camera deficiencies
within BOP facilities as quickly as possible. The lack of adequate
camera systems puts the safety of both incarcerated individuals and
correctional officers and staff at risk.
This bill is a bipartisan common sense measure to require that BOP
investigate and address these critical safety concerns and ensures that
the improvements will be made by including adequate Congressional
oversight.
I want to thank Representatives Keller, McBath, and Trone as well as
Senator Ossoff for introducing this important legislation. I urge all
of my colleagues to support the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, S. 2899.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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