H.R. 3344: Sovereign States Bureau of Prisons Restructuring Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Sovereign States Bureau of Prisons Restructuring Act of 2025, aims to change how funding is allocated to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Here are the key points:

Funding Levels

The bill requires that funding for the Bureau of Prisons be returned to the levels it was at in fiscal year 2019. This means that any increases in funding beyond this amount would not be considered under this new structure.

Block Grants to States

Of the funding allocated to the Bureau of Prisons, 50% will be converted into block grants to be issued to individual states. A block grant is a large sum of money awarded to a local government or organization with fewer restrictions on how it can be spent compared to traditional federal funding.

Administrative Costs

Additionally, the bill stipulates that:

• 10% of the total Bureau of Prisons funding will be allocated to the Department of Justice's office that manages these block grants.
• Another 10% will be designated for the Office of Inspector General within the Department of Justice, which will oversee and ensure proper management of the grants.

Timeline for Development and Implementation

The Attorney General must begin developing a detailed plan to implement these funding changes within 270 days of the bill's enactment and is required to fully implement this plan within one year of enactment. This means the states will have a structured process to apply for and manage these funds.

Purpose

The reforms are intended to give states more control over funds for prison operations and management, suggesting a shift towards localized decision-making regarding incarceration and correctional facilities.

Oversight

The involvement of the Office of Inspector General is meant to ensure transparency and accountability in how the states utilize the federal funds provided through these block grants.

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