Press Releases

The funding bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today includes language requested by Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-Ga.) to address staffing concerns of Bureau of Prisons employees at the Federal Corrections Institute (FCI) in Jesup, GA. Specifically, the legislation directs the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to end its over-reliance on augmentation and instead hire additional full-time correctional officers. 

"I've been in long contact with the staff at the FCI in Jesup and they told me that when staff members were leaving, the BOP was not replacing them," said Carter. "While there has been a reduction in inmates, it is most important to ensure the safety of the prison staff. It is unacceptable to hear constituents tell me they don't feel safe in their own work place. That's why I requested this language during this year's funding process.

"While I am disappointed that the partisan underlying funding bill includes irresponsible government spending, jeopardizes our national security and prohibits funding for the border wall, I am very glad that this assistance to correct the current staffing errors at our prisons was included. I now urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work in a bipartisan fashion as these funding bills continue to move through Congress so we can get this important assistance across the finish line."

The staffing assistance is included in H.R. 3055 which includes five spending bills - Commerce, Justice and Science; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Interior and Environment; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives today.