Corrections and Recidivism Reduction Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-759
Sponsor: Rep. Chaffetz, Jason [R-UT-3]
Introduced: 2015-02-05 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime prevention
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug therapy
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Family relationships
Firearms and explosives
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement officers
Lawyers and legal services
Licensing and registrations
Public-private cooperation
Religion
Sex offenses
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Vocational and technical education
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-05
text: 

Recidivism Risk Reduction Act

 
 Directs the Attorney General to: (1) develop a Post-Sentencing Risk and Needs Assessment System; (2) make recommendations regarding recidivism reduction programs and productive activities (programs); (3) conduct ongoing research and data analysis on the best practices relating to the use of offender risk and needs assessment tools, the best available tools, the most effective and efficient uses of such tools, and the most effective programs for prisoners classified at different recidivism risk levels and for addressing the specific needs of prisoners; (4) develop risk and needs assessment tools for such System based on such research and analysis; and (5) review the System, recommendations, and research biennially to determine whether any revisions or updates should be made.
 
Requires the System to provide: (1) tools to classify the recidivism risk level of prisoners and assign appropriate programs, reassess such risk level periodically and make appropriate reassignments, and determine when a prisoner is ready to transfer into pre-release custody; (2) guidance on the programs that should be assigned for each classification of prisoner; (3) incentives and rewards for prisoners to participate in and complete programs, including family phone and visitation privileges, time credits, and transfers into pre-release custody; and (4) guidelines for the Bureau of Prisons to reduce rewards earned by prisoners who violate prison or program rules. Bars prisoners convicted of specified offenses from receiving time credits. 
 
Directs the Attorney General to: (1) develop training programs for Bureau officials and employees responsible for administering the System; (2) monitor and assess the use of the System; (3) review the effectiveness of existing programs in prisons operated by the Bureau and in state-operated prisons; and (4) make recommendations to the Bureau regarding the expansion of programming and activity capacity, the replication of effective programs, and the addition of any new programs that would help to reduce recidivism. 
 
Directs the Bureau to: (1) implement the System and complete a risk and needs assessment for each prisoner; (2) expand the effective programs it offers and add any new ones necessary to effectively implement the System; (3) phase in such programs according to a specified schedule; and (4) develop policies for the warden of each prison to enter into partnerships with specified nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and private entities to expand such programs.
 
Sets forth procedures for the transfer into pre-release custody of a prisoner classified as having a low risk of recidivating.

action_date: 2016-12-23
text: 

Corrections and Recidivism Reduction Act of 2016

 
TITLE I--RECIDIVISM RISK REDUCTION
 

Recidivism Risk Reduction Act

 
(Sec. 102) This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to: (1) develop a prisoner risk and needs assessment system; (2) develop recommendations regarding recidivism reduction programs and productive activities; and (3) conduct ongoing research regarding data analysis on best practices, needs assessment tools, and recidivism reduction programs.
 
 (Sec. 103) The bill establishes requirements regarding the assessment system and DOJ's recommendations.
 
 (Sec. 106) The bill amends the federal criminal code to establish procedures for implementation of the assessment system and DOJ's recommendations by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). 
 
TITLE II--RESTRAINTS ON PREGNANT PRISONERS PROHIBITED
 
(Sec. 201) With specified exceptions, the bill prohibits the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery.
 
TITLE III--BUREAU OF PRISONS USE OF OLEORESIN CAPSICUM SPRAY
 

Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 302) The bill requires the BOP to issue oleoresin capsicum spray (pepper spray) to officers and employees who respond to emergency situations at high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities. Officers and employees may use pepper spray to reduce violent acts by prisoners and visitors.
 
(Sec. 303) The Government Accountability Office shall: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of issuance of pepper spray issued pursuant to this bill and the advisability of its use in minimum- or low-security prisons, and (2) make recommendations to improve the safety of BOP officers and employees.
 
TITLE IV--BUREAU OF PRISONS SECURE FIREARMS STORAGE
 

Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act of 2016

 
 (Sec. 403) The BOP must ensure that each chief executive officer of a federal penal or correctional institution: (1) allows qualified law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms beyond the institution's secure perimeter, and (2) either provides such officers with a secure firearm-storage area beyond the perimeter or allows them to store firearms in a BOP-approved vehicle lockbox.
 
TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS
 
(Sec. 501) The BOP must incorporate specialized and comprehensive de-escalation training into its training programs.
 
 (Sec. 503) The bill generally prohibits the monitoring of electronic communications between a prisoner in a BOP facility and the prisoner's attorney.
 
(Sec. 504) The BOP shall establish pilot programs related to: (1) pairing incarcerated youth with volunteer mentors; and (2) equipping prisoners with skills to provide training and therapy to abandoned, rescued, or otherwise vulnerable animals.
 
 (Sec. 505) The bill requires supervision by probation officers and pretrial services officers, when directed by the court, of conditionally released persons determined to be sexually dangerous.
 
(Sec. 506) The bill expands data collection requirements regarding the National Prisoner Statistics Program.
 
(Sec. 507) The bill reauthorizes through FY2020, and revises, the Federal Prisoner Reentry Initiative.
 
A defendant may make a motion for modification of an imposed term of imprisonment if the BOP does not make such a motion within 30 days of a defendant's request.
 
(Sec. 508) The BOP must designate a release preparation coordinator at each BOP facility that houses prisoners.
 
Each prisoner shall, with individualized assistance, develop a comprehensive release plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-23
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 704.
action_date: 2016-12-23
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-894.
action_date: 2016-12-23
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-894.
action_date: 2016-02-11
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2016-02-11
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-05
text: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Discharged.
action_date: 2015-03-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-02-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-02-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-02-05
text: Introduced in House