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117-s-2899117th Congress

Prison Camera Reform Act of 2021

Sponsored By: Senator Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

Became Law

Summary

Upgrade security camera, land-mobile radio, and public address systems across federal prisons. The law requires the Bureau of Prisons director to evaluate existing systems, deliver a plan within 90 days, and implement upgrades on a 3-year schedule to boost safety and preserve video evidence.

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  • Inmates and staff: Fixes for blind spots, inoperable cameras, poor video quality, and radios without emergency "man down" features aim to improve health and safety and better document misconduct.
  • Investigators and courts: Requires secure storage, logging, preservation, and accessible recordings so video can be available to investigators or courts when needed.
  • Bureau operations: The plan must convert analog cameras to digital, identify training and maintenance needs, prioritize high-security facilities, include a 3-year cost projection, and provide annual progress reports during implementation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Federal prisons upgrade cameras and radios

The Bureau of Prisons must submit a plan within 90 days of enactment. It upgrades cameras, two-way radios, and PA systems in all federal prisons. The plan fixes blind spots and broken or analog cameras, improves video, and adds secure, searchable storage for recordings. It also boosts radio coverage and adds 'man down' alerts. High-security prisons come first, with training and maintenance included. Work finishes within 3 years after the plan, if Congress provides funding, and yearly progress reports begin 1 year after the plan until the 3-year timeline ends.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

GA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/29/2021

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 9/29/2021

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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