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S. 1401 118th Congress Senate

Federal Prison Oversight Act

Official title: A bill to establish an inspections regime for the Bureau of Prisons, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 2, 2023 Introduced by: Jon Ossoff Democratic · Georgia See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Congressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDepartment of JusticeDetention of persons
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 2, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 2, 2023
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 2, 2023

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Prison Oversight Act

This bill establishes an inspections regime for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General must conduct risk-based evaluations of BOP facilities.

An inspection of a facility may be announced or unannounced. Higher risk facilities must receive more frequent inspections.

The bill (1) provides for the establishment in DOJ of an Ombudsman who may receive complaints, make inquiries, and recommend actions, and decline to investigate or take action, as specified; and (2) prohibits BOP retaliation against any person or entity that has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding, investigation, or inspection under this bill.

The ombudsman shall coordinate with the BOP to educate incarcerated people, their representatives, and the public about the existence and functions of the ombudsman.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1401: Federal Prison Oversight Act. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-1401/
MLA
"S. 1401: Federal Prison Oversight Act." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-1401/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1401, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-1401/.
Markdown link
[S. 1401: Federal Prison Oversight Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-1401/)
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