Federal Prison Oversight Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 2, 2023

Federal Prison Oversight Act

This bill establishes an inspections regime for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General must conduct risk-based evaluations of BOP facilities.

An inspection of a facility may be announced or unannounced. Higher risk facilities must receive more frequent inspections.

The bill (1) provides for the establishment in DOJ of an Ombudsman who may receive complaints, make inquiries, and recommend actions, and decline to investigate or take action, as specified; and (2) prohibits BOP retaliation against any person or entity that has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding, investigation, or inspection under this bill.

The ombudsman shall coordinate with the BOP to educate incarcerated people, their representatives, and the public about the existence and functions of the ombudsman.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA] · D–GA

Committees

Judiciary Committee

5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 2, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 2, 2023
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · May 2, 2023 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 3019 · Federal Prison Oversight Act

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Discuss S.1401, 118th Congress: Federal Prison Oversight Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1401

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-05-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s1401/BILLS-118s1401is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1401 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Examine S.1401 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.1401, 118th Congress: Federal Prison Oversight Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1401

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-05-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s1401/BILLS-118s1401is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1401 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Examine S.1401 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.1401, 118th Congress: Federal Prison Oversight Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1401

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-05-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s1401/BILLS-118s1401is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1401 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.1401, 118th Congress: Federal Prison Oversight Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1401

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-05-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s1401/BILLS-118s1401is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1401 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.