Statement of Norman A Carlson, Director, Bureau of Prisons Before the House Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties and the Administration of Justice Concerning Oversight for the Federal Bureau of Prisons on March 28, 1984

• NCJ Number: 97852
• Author(s): N A Carlson
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons reviews reasons for overcrowded prisons, steps being taken to accommodate anticipated increases, and the Federal prison industries program.

Abstract

Between 1981 and 1984 the Federal prison population increased 42 percent, largely as a result of increased Federal efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and organized crime. The prison population will continue to increase over the next several years, reaching 38,000 by 1990. Returning Cuban detainees, the most violent and disruptive offenders ever confined in a Federal prison, will allow the Bureau of Prisons to return the Atlanta Penitentiary to its intended use as a maximum-security prison. The Bureau plans to accommodate anticipated increases by acquiring surplus properties and converting them into prisons, expanding capacity at existing facilities, and using contract halfway houses to facilitate the release transition of Federal inmates to the community. When capacity needs cannot be met through these approaches, the Bureau will request approval for new construction. The Federal prison industries program now employs 9,000 inmates and operates factories in 43 of the 45 Federal institutions. It is requesting 61 additional positions to provide supervision for expanded industrial programs. Plant expansion costs and staff salaries will be covered by earnings. Finally, the National Institute of Corrections continues to improve corrections at the State and local levels through its training and technical assistance activities.