Bill Overview
Title: Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2022
Description: This bill modifies the appointment procedures and term of service for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons. Currently, the director is appointed by the Attorney General. This bill requires the director to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The bill also limits the director to a single term of 10 years.
Sponsors: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Target Audience
Population: People associated with the Federal Bureau of Prisons
Estimated Size: 186000
- The Director of the Bureau of Prisons oversees the federal prison system, which includes staff and incarcerated individuals.
- Changes in leadership may influence policy and administration, affecting prison conditions and operations.
- Affects those working in or with the federal prison system, potentially impacting policy direction and workplace norms.
Reasoning
- The Director of the Bureau of Prisons impacts the federal prison environment, affecting incarcerated individuals, staff, and policies.
- The policy alters how power and oversight are managed, potentially affecting prison conditions and leadership priorities.
- Federal prisoners and staff make up a specific and sizable population directly impacted by these changes.
Simulated Interviews
Administrative Staff, Federal Bureau of Prisons (Washington D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe a change in leadership appointment could improve accountability.
- Having the Senate involved may bring more transparency to the process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Federal Correctional Officer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Leadership changes tend to trickle down and affect our work conditions.
- I'm cautiously optimistic this might lead to positive changes in staffing policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Federal Inmate (San Quentin, California)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this change can improve prison conditions and offer more programs.
- Any leadership that focuses on rehabilitation would be welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Federal Prison Reform Advocate (New York, New York)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a crucial step towards prison reform; better leadership can lead to systemic changes.
- Involvement of a wider political spectrum could lead to meaningful accountability.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Attorney Specializing in Federal Criminal Cases (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope for greater transparency and reform under new leadership.
- This change may improve how prisons are run, affecting my clients positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Teacher inside Federal Prison (Miami, Florida)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With better oversight, we might see more resources allocated to education.
- I'm hopeful for policy shifts that emphasize rehabilitation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Recent Law Graduate, Interested in Criminal Justice Policy (Houston, Texas)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a positive step for reforming federal prison systems.
- I think this will lead to progressive changes in prison administration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Former Prison Officer (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Leadership can make a big difference in how policies are implemented.
- I am somewhat skeptical but open to what this change might bring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Academic Researcher in Criminal Justice (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There is potential for significant long-term improvements with new leadership.
- Appointing by the President ensures a broader scope of responsibility.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Advocate for Prisoners’ Rights (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as an opportunity for improved living conditions and rehabilitation efforts.
- Change in leadership might finally address some of the systemic issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Key Considerations
- The appointment process change may set a new precedent for similar roles within the federal government, potentially leading to broader procedural changes.
- Ensuring a smooth transition for the new Director under the 10-year term limit could require enhanced succession planning and leadership continuity strategies.