WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Jim Justice issued a statement following the Senate passage of the bipartisan Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act. A bill cosponsored by Senator Justice and originally introduced by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN):
“Absolutely no one, especially our hardworking correctional officers, should have to worry about being assaulted or harassed for just doing their job. The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act is strong, common-sense legislation that will protect those who serve in our federal prison facilities and face danger every day. I am proud to support this bipartisan bill, and along with my Bureau of Prisons Security Check and Action against Narcotics in Mail Act and will continue focusing ways to make our federal correctional facilities safer,” said Senator Jim Justice.
“Senator Justice is taking real action to keep correctional officers safe from inmate harassment and sexual attacks. This bill matters, and we’re ready to keep working with them on this and other bills, such as Senator Justice’s BOP SCAN Mail Act, to make our workplace safer for everyone,” said Jon Zumkehr, President of the Thomson Employees Union Local 4070, which represents correctional officers.
BACKGROUND:
- Senator Justice has been a staunch advocate for protecting prison staff.
- Senator Justice introduced the Bureau of Prisons Security Check and Action against Narcotics in Mail Act (BOP SCAN Mail Act), which requires the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a digital scanning strategy to prevent the smuggling of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs into Federal correctional facilities by mail.
- Senator Justice has also cosponsored multiple bills supporting law enforcement: Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025, CATCH Fentanyl Act, Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025.