S. 3664: Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2026

This legislation, titled the Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2026, aims to improve the disaster preparedness of correctional facilities managed by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in the United States. Here’s a breakdown of its key provisions:

Definitions

The bill defines a major disaster as:

• A disaster declared by the President under the Stafford Act.
• Any natural disaster, extreme weather event, or public health emergency that causes physical damage to BOP facilities or disrupts their services.

Annual Summary Report

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons is required to submit an annual report detailing the physical damage caused by any major disasters affecting BOP facilities and contract prisons. This report must include:

• Data on injuries and fatalities among inmates and staff.
• Access to essentials like health care, food, water, and hygiene products.
• Information related to early release and home confinement requests.
• Justifications for any limitations on legal visitation and access to accommodations for people with disabilities.
• Impacts on educational and work programs.
• Inmate grievances and responses.
• Assessment of the financial cost of the disaster damage and staffing impacts.
• Other factors relating to maintaining health, safety, and civil rights within the facilities.

Corrective Action Plan

The annual report must also include a corrective action plan outlining improvements to emergency preparedness strategies. This plan will detail steps the BOP intends to take to modernize its responses to disasters and designate a timeline for these actions.

Recommendations and Appointments

The report should contain specific legislative recommendations to enhance emergency preparedness within the Bureau. Furthermore, within 90 days of the bill’s enactment, the Director of the BOP must appoint an official to oversee the implementation of the corrective action plan.

Field Hearings

The National Institute of Corrections is required to conduct at least one public hearing within a year of the bill being enacted. This hearing will focus on how correctional facilities can improve their emergency preparedness and recovery efforts, particularly regarding:

• Access to medical care and essential supplies for inmates during emergencies.
• Evaluating early release or home confinement for inmates during disasters.
• Preserving visitation rights with legal counsel and family.
• Accommodating inmates with disabilities during emergencies.
• Using federal funds effectively to restore facilities after disasters.
• Incorporating best practices for risk management for enhanced disaster preparedness.

Relevant Companies

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