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Boyda, Moore Urge Congress to Fully Fund Federal Prisons
07/04/07LEAVENWORTH, KS – Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) and Congressman Dennis Moore (Kansas Third District) held a press conference on Tuesday to highlight the need for increased funding for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Prior to the press conference, Boyda and Moore toured the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, and met with the staff to discuss the impact of current funding shortages on the Leavenworth facility and other federal prisons.
“Congress can't neglect our prisons and still claim to be tough on crime,” said Congresswoman Boyda. “We have to provide enough funding to the Bureau of Prisons to ensure the safety of our guards and the security of our federal prisons. In the next month, the House of Representatives will consider the Department of Justice Appropriations Act for 2008. I want Leavenworth and all federal penitentiaries to know that I'll fight for the federal prison system every step of the way.”
From July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, the total number of people incarcerated by federal or state authorities was roughly 1.6 million, a 2.8% increase from the previous year. In addition, between 1990 and 2007, the federal prison inmate population increased by 239%, while staff levels increased by only 106%. Unfortunately, BOP funding was limited to a 2% increase from FY06 to FY07.
On June 11, 2007, Boyda and Moore jointly authored a letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to fund the Board of Prisons at levels sufficient to address staffing shortages and prison overcrowding.
“As a former District Attorney, I understand the importance of a strong and well-funded prison system,” Congressman Moore said. “Unfortunately, current funding levels have not kept pace with incarceration levels. This makes a risky profession even more challenging. We should be doing a better job of funding our prisons so they can do what they're supposed to do – keep us safe!”
The House is expected to consider the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008, by the end of July.
“Congress can't neglect our prisons and still claim to be tough on crime,” said Congresswoman Boyda. “We have to provide enough funding to the Bureau of Prisons to ensure the safety of our guards and the security of our federal prisons. In the next month, the House of Representatives will consider the Department of Justice Appropriations Act for 2008. I want Leavenworth and all federal penitentiaries to know that I'll fight for the federal prison system every step of the way.”
From July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, the total number of people incarcerated by federal or state authorities was roughly 1.6 million, a 2.8% increase from the previous year. In addition, between 1990 and 2007, the federal prison inmate population increased by 239%, while staff levels increased by only 106%. Unfortunately, BOP funding was limited to a 2% increase from FY06 to FY07.
On June 11, 2007, Boyda and Moore jointly authored a letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to fund the Board of Prisons at levels sufficient to address staffing shortages and prison overcrowding.
“As a former District Attorney, I understand the importance of a strong and well-funded prison system,” Congressman Moore said. “Unfortunately, current funding levels have not kept pace with incarceration levels. This makes a risky profession even more challenging. We should be doing a better job of funding our prisons so they can do what they're supposed to do – keep us safe!”
The House is expected to consider the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008, by the end of July.