Press Release

For Media Inquiries:
John Norton, 202-999-4268
jnorton@famm.org

Lawmakers, bipartisan advocates, and impacted families to hold press conference to support The Federal Prison Oversight Act
Reps. Lucy McBath and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) hosting event on Wednesday, June 21

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of justice reform and law enforcement advocates and impacted families join Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Lucy McBath (D-GA) to push Congress to pass The Federal Prison Oversight Act at a press conference on Wednesday, June 21.

The press conference will be held at 10 a.m. at the House Triangle on the Capitol East Lawn.

“Following scandal after scandal, our federal prisons are in desperate need of independent oversight,” said Kevin Ring, FAMM’s President. “We need to protect the safety and well-being of the people who are in the federal government’s custody and the public servants who work there. The Federal Prison Oversight Act is supported by correctional officers, impacted families, and advocates from across the political spectrum. It’s time for Congress to act.”

Joining bill sponsors, Reps. McBath and Armstrong, at the press conference will be dozens of impacted families and formerly incarcerated individuals and leaders of advocacy groups and law enforcement organizations.

The bill is supported by organizations including CPAC, Faith & Freedom Coalition, Justice Action Network and the National District Attorneys Association. New endorsements for the legislation will be announced at the event.

Among other items, the Federal Prison Oversight Act would require regular, unannounced inspections of federal prisons, and create an ombudsman in the Justice Department to carry out investigations when staff or incarcerated people raise concerns.

For more than three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM has led the fight to reform extreme mandatory sentencing laws and to promote rehabilitation and dignity for all people in prison, 94 percent of whom will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safely reduce incarceration, save taxpayer dollars, and keep families together. Founded in 1991, FAMM has secured bold sentencing and prison reform across the country while elevating the voices of directly impacted individuals and families.