Federal · S. 307, Public Law 119-110
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act: deadlines for the Bureau of Prisons to address sexual harassment and assault of staff by inmates
Signed Sept. 16, 2026
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The short version
- Congress found that a 2023 Justice Department Inspector General report showed inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and assault in federal prisons is "widespread." The report also found the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) did not collect adequate data and had not carried out the report's recommendations.
- The law gives BOP 90 days after enactment to fully implement those recommendations, or to explain to Congress why it hasn't, with a detailed timeline.
- Within a year after BOP finishes, the Inspector General must analyze updated data for fiscal years 2022-2025, including punishments. The Attorney General then has a year to issue national standards on prevention, reduction and punishment.
- The law covers federal prisons only. South Carolina has four BOP correctional institutions: Edgefield, Estill, Bennettsville and Williamsburg.
- Status
- Signed into law Sept. 16, 2026 as Public Law 119-110.
- Official source
- Congress.gov: S.307, Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act (Public Law 119-110)
Enrolled bill text
What it does
- Findings. Congress found that the 2023 Inspector General report on BOP’s efforts “found that inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and sexual assault is widespread.” It also found that BOP “does not collect adequate data” and had not implemented the report’s recommendations. (Enrolled text, sec. 2)
- 90-day deadline. “Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment,” BOP must fully implement each recommendation in the report. If it hasn’t, it must report to Congress by that deadline with an explanation and “a detailed timeline for full implementation.” (Enrolled text, sec. 3(b))
- Inspector General review. Within one year after BOP fully implements the recommendations, the IG must get and analyze updated data for FY2022–2025, including punishments used over the prior five years, and report to Congress and the Attorney General. (Enrolled text, sec. 3(c))
- National standards. Within one year after receiving that analysis, the Attorney General must issue a rule “adopting national standards for prevention, reduction, and punishment” of sexual harassment and assault by incarcerated people against BOP officers and employees. (Enrolled text, sec. 3(d))
Who it affects
Correctional officers and other employees of the federal Bureau of Prisons, and people incarcerated in federal prisons. (Enrolled text) South Carolina’s BOP correctional institutions are FCI Edgefield, FCI Estill, FCI Bennettsville and FCI Williamsburg. (Bureau of Prisons locations) State prisons run by the S.C. Department of Corrections are not covered.
How it passed
The Senate passed it by unanimous consent on April 29, 2025, and the House 376-8 on August 31, 2026. It was signed September 16, 2026. (Congress.gov actions)
Current status
Law since September 16, 2026 (Public Law 119-110). BOP’s 90-day implementation deadline falls in mid-December 2026. (Enrolled text; Congress.gov)
Sources
- Congress.gov: S.307 (actions and CRS summary)
- Congress.gov: S.307 enrolled text
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: list of locations
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Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.