Private Prison Information Act of 2021

Hozzl · 2022-12-30T08:03:39Z

Explore the details of House Bill 5853 Private Prison Information Act of 2021 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Crime and Law Enforcement. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/30/2022, 8:03 AM

Summary of Bill HR 5853

Bill 117 HR 5853, also known as the Private Prison Information Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to increase transparency and accountability in the private prison industry.

The bill requires private prisons that contract with the federal government to provide detailed information about their operations, including data on the demographics of the incarcerated population, the conditions of confinement, and the services provided to inmates. This information would be made publicly available on a government website, allowing for greater oversight and scrutiny of private prison facilities.

Additionally, the bill prohibits private prisons from entering into contracts that contain clauses requiring the government to maintain a certain level of occupancy in the facility. This practice, known as "occupancy guarantees," has been criticized for incentivizing the incarceration of individuals and contributing to the growth of the private prison industry. Overall, the Private Prison Information Act of 2021 aims to shed light on the operations of private prisons and ensure that they are held accountable for the treatment of inmates. By increasing transparency and prohibiting certain harmful practices, this bill seeks to improve the oversight of private prison facilities and protect the rights of incarcerated individuals.

Congressional Summary of HR 5853

Private Prison Information Act of 2021

This bill specifies that a record related to a nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility must be considered a federal agency record for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

A nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility must disclose information under FOIA unless the information is exempt from disclosure or the disclosure is prohibited by law.

The term nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility means (1) a private prison, correctional, or detention facility; or (2) a state or local prison, jail, or other correctional or detention facility.

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Current Status of Bill HR 5853

Bill HR 5853 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since November 4, 2021. Bill HR 5853 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on November 4, 2021. Bill HR 5853's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. as of November 1, 2022

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 5853

Total Number of Sponsors

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Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 5853

Primary Policy Focus

Crime and Law Enforcement

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 5853

Private Prison Information Act of 2021Private Prison Information Act of 2021To require non-Federal prison, correctional, and detention facilities holding Federal prisoners or detainees under a contract with the Federal Government to make the same information available to the public that Federal prisons and correctional facilities are required to make available.

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