Prison Staffing Reform Act of 2023

HR 6711, the Prison Staffing Reform Act of 2023, requires the Bureau of Prisons to conduct a comprehensive external review of staffing levels within 180 days of enactment. This review, to be led by an independent organization and involving prison unions, civil rights groups, and recidivism programs, must identify how understaffing affects inmate access to medical care, programming, safety, and staff well-being. The bill mandates a detailed staffing plan with specific ratios (e.g., correctional officers per inmate, medical staff per unit) and a 3-year strategy to fill vacancies, reduce overtime, and improve security. The Bureau must submit the plan to Congress and prison unions, with annual progress reports over three years, all subject to funding.