§60103 Federal Regulation of Prisoner Transport Companies

Summary

The Attorney General must, within 180 days after December 21, 2000, write rules about moving violent prisoners across state lines. The Attorney General must work with the American Correctional Association and the private prisoner transport industry to make those rules. The rules must set minimums for hiring and training, including criminal background checks that disqualify people with a felony or a domestic violence conviction (as defined in section 921 of title 18) and preemployment drug testing under state law. Training before work cannot be more than 100 hours and must cover restraints, searches, use of force and weapons, CPR, map reading, and defensive driving. Duty-hour limits cannot be stricter than current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act rules. Supervision rules give companies some choice but generally cannot require more than 1 agent per 6 violent prisoners unless a contract says otherwise. Employees must wear a uniform with a badge. The rules may require some violent prisoners to wear bright clothing when appropriate. Restraints must meet minimums, including leg shackles and double-locked handcuffs when appropriate. Companies must notify local police 24 hours before planned stops and must immediately tell local police and the hiring government if a prisoner escapes. Safety standards must follow federal and state law. Except for the bright-clothing rule, these rules cannot be tougher than those that apply to the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service in similar situations.