This legislation significantly increases the penalties for individuals who provide a phone to an inmate within a federal correctional facility. It amends title 18, United States Code, to establish a new maximum penalty of two years imprisonment for such offenses, or both a fine and imprisonment, specifically targeting the provision of phones as contraband. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies related to inmates' possession or acquisition of prohibited objects. This review must be completed within one year of the Act's enactment, with the BOP then required to update these policies as necessary. The overall goal is to strengthen protections for both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff by addressing the broader issue of contraband in prisons.
This legislation significantly increases the penalties for individuals who provide a phone to an inmate within a federal correctional facility. It amends title 18, United States Code, to establish a new maximum penalty of two years imprisonment for such offenses, or both a fine and imprisonment, specifically targeting the provision of phones as contraband. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies related to inmates' possession or acquisition of prohibited objects. This review must be completed within one year of the Act's enactment, with the BOP then required to update these policies as necessary. The overall goal is to strengthen protections for both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff by addressing the broader issue of contraband in prisons.