Senate Bill
Marsha Blackburn
R - TN
Cosponsors
3
Policy Area
Summary
This bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to adopt standards and fully implement recommendations to prevent, reduce, and punish sexual harassment and sexual assault by inmates against correctional officers and prison staff.
Latest Action
Held at the desk.
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to adopt standards and fully implement recommendations to prevent, reduce, and punish sexual harassment and sexual assault by inmates against correctional officers and prison staff.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act</strong></p><p>This bill establishes requirements for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and component agencies to assess and respond to incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault by incarcerated individuals against Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff.</p><p>Specifically, the bill requires DOJ to adopt national standards for the prevention, reduction, and punishment of sexual harassment and sexual assault by incarcerated individuals against correctional officers or other employees of the BOP.</p><p>Additionally, the bill requires the BOP to fully implement the recommendations of the DOJ Inspector General contained in the report titled <em>Evaluation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Efforts to Address Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Committed by Inmates Toward Staff</em>.</p>
Main provisions of the bill
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Bureau of Prisons staff would have stronger protections against sexual misconduct by inmates. Standards for prevention and punishment would be established. Correctional officers would work in safer environments.
Primary Policy Area
Related Subjects
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
307, 119th Congress (2025). "Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-307