Bill Overview
Title: Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to submit an annual report on disaster damage to its facilities and contract prisons. The report must explain the effects of the damage on inmates and staff. The report must also include any corrective actions the BOP will take to modernize emergency preparedness plans and legislative recommendations to improve emergency preparedness within the BOP. The bill also requires the National Institute of Corrections to conduct a public field hearing on how correctional facilities can incorporate in their emergency preparedness plans and recovery efforts various elements, including access to programs and services for inmates and risk management best practices for staff.
Sponsors: Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]
Target Audience
Population: People in or working in correctional facilities
Estimated Size: 2500000
- Correctional facilities house inmates who will be directly affected by the changes in disaster preparedness plans.
- Correctional staff are also directly impacted as they need to implement these plans and their safety and operations depend on it.
- Emergency preparedness improvements can have broader implications for surrounding communities by potentially reducing the harm and disruption during disasters.
- Bureau of Prisons and National Institute of Corrections personnel are involved in executing and overseeing these procedures.
Reasoning
- The population affected by this policy predominantly includes inmates and staff within correctional facilities.
- Directly, the policy aims to improve conditions and security in times of emergencies, which influences wellbeing.
- Inmates' wellbeing may be enhanced by feeling more secure and having continued access to programs and services even during emergencies.
- For staff, effective preparedness plans can reduce job stress by ensuring their safety and operational confidence during disaster situations.
- The policy will primarily benefit a very specific and contained demographic, so variations in responses outside this group should be minimal.
Simulated Interviews
Correctional Officer (Texas)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm all for this policy. When natural disasters hit, we're often left scrambling to ensure both staff and inmates are safe.
- Having a concrete plan that we all practice and know can make all the difference in how we handle these situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Inmate (Florida)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I really worry about not getting my meds if something goes wrong, like a hurricane. Knowing the facility is better prepared is a relief.
- This might not affect me day-to-day, but it helps me sleep better at night.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Prison Health Services Administrator (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial for maintaining standard health services during emergencies.
- I'm glad that the National Institute of Corrections will be involved; it ensures we get expert guidelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Bureau of Prisons Planner (New York)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act provides a necessary framework for assessing and improving our facilities' disaster resilience.
- It's not just about the physical buildings; it's about keeping operations smooth and safeguarding people's health and security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Correctional Facility Social Worker (Illinois)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Disasters can be incredibly disruptive for mental health. Preparedness in this area directly helps me support inmates more effectively.
- I hope this means more training on how to handle psychological challenges during crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Inmate (North Carolina)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel anxious not knowing if my family is safe during disasters and also worrying about what would happen here.
- This plan makes me feel like they actually care about us during emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 2 |
Retired Correctional Officer (Ohio)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though I'm retired, I can attest to the need for robust disaster plans based on my years of experience.
- Emergencies were always tricky without solid, practiced plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Inmate (New Mexico)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard to focus on rebuilding my life when every minor disaster disrupts everything.
- Anything that ensures my connection to educational resources during these times is a plus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Warden (Alabama)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This gives us the backing we need to enhance preparedness and help save lives during floods.
- We need these changes to offer staff and inmates the right training and security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
BOP Policy Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act is a step in the right direction to ensure we're not caught off guard.
- It's reassuring to work on a policy that addresses such critical need that hasn't been thoroughly explored before.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $4200000 (Low: $3200000, High: $5300000)
Year 3: $4400000 (Low: $3400000, High: $5600000)
Year 5: $4800000 (Low: $3800000, High: $6100000)
Year 10: $5500000 (Low: $4500000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $9000000 (Low: $7500000, High: $11000000)
Key Considerations
- The accuracy of cost estimates depends heavily on the actual scale and scope of the preparedness enhancements and legislative recommendations implemented by the BOP.
- Coordination and resource allocation between the Bureau of Prisons and the National Institute of Corrections will directly impact cost and effectiveness.
- Potential litigation or compliance costs associated with inadequately handled disasters could influence future cost structures.
- The reality of disaster frequency or severity in relevant regions will affect ongoing costs and necessary adjustments to preparedness plans.