MARCH 26, 1968.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed · Mr. SISK, from the Committee on Rules, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. Res. 1114] The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration House Resolution 1114, report the same to the House with the recommendation that the resolution do pass. O 90TH CONGRESS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session REPORT {No. 1212 AUTHORIZING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS MARCH 27, 1968.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. CELLER, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.R. 15216] The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 15216) to authorize the Bureau of Prisons to assist State and local governments in the improvement of their correctional systems, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with amendments and recommend that the bill do pass. The amendments are as follows: 1. On line 4, after the word "by", insert "striking out the period and inserting a semicolon and by". 2. On line 5, delete "Provide, to the extent of available resources," and insert in lieu thereof "provide technical". EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS The purpose of the amendments is to conform the style of the bill to the codified title 18, United States Code, and to make clear that technical assistance, not grants or loans of funds, is authorized by this legislation. PURPOSE The purpose of H.R. 15216, as amended, is to authorize the Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide technical assistance to State and local governments in improving their correctional systems. STATEMENT For some years the Federal Bureau of Prisons has, on occasion, responded to requests by State and local correctional agencies by providing limited technical assistance. Such assistance has included consultation and technical advice on a wide range of correctional problems. At present the Bureau cannot provide the assistance requested and needed because there is no statutory authority to render such services as a matter of course. The authority granted by H.R. 15216, as amended, will enable the Bureau of Prisons to establish a clearinghouse for information on corrections policies and techniques and enlarge its capacity to respond to requests for consultation and technical assistance. As amended by the committee, the bill expressly authorizes technical assistance only and does not authorize the extension of funds through loans or grants to State or local correctional systems. H.R. 15216 was introduced at the request of the Department of Justice. It is supported by the board of directors of the American Correctional Association, a professional organization representing over 8,000 members in all 50 States. The committee is persuaded that the bill will enable the Bureau of Prisons to supply expert technical assistance to correctional administrators and thereby significantly contribute toward the improvement of State and local correctional systems and, accordingly, recommends that the bill receive favorable consideration. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS Attached hereto and made a part of this report is a letter dated February 7, 1968, from the Attorney General of the United States to the Speaker of the House of Representatives requesting enactment of the proposal. Also attached and made a part hereof is a letter dated March 6, 1968, from Myrl E. Alexander, Director, Bureau of Prisons, to Chairman Emanuel Celler, providing additional information in support of the legislation. The SPEAKER, DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEAR MR. SPEAKER: In outlining his program of action with which to meet the challenge of crime to our society, the President called the attention of the Nation to the need for substantial improvement in the long-neglected area of corrections. Encompassed within his proposal is the development of a program through which the Federal Bureau of Prisons would cooperate with those State and local governments which desire assistance in effecting improvements in their corrections systems. In the past, the Bureau of Prisons has been requested for consultative, technical, and other assistance and has rendered such assistance on a limited basis. The President has recognized the need for expanding this activity so that those States and communities which desire help in planning and programing may be supplied with it. In addition to direct assistance, the Bureau of Prisons would, with an expanded program, be in a position to collect and disseminate comprehensive information on corrections policies and techniques. The gathering and distribution of this information, coupled with direct assistance H.R. 1212 from the Bureau of Prisons, may be expected substantially to improve corrections nationwide. The American public could then reasonably expect a substantial reduction in recidivism. As you know, the President's Crime Commission estimated that about one out of three released criminals returns to prison within 5 years. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is recognized as a leader in the field of corrections and its personnel is among the best trained and well equipped in the world. It is unfortunate that to date the Bureau has not been authorized by law to more meaningfully use its resources in support of State and local authorities. The simple statutory amendment which is enclosed will, when enacted, give the Bureau the necessary legislative base from which to operate. The $3 million which the President has requested to implement this proposal would, in my judgment, be well spent. I urge prompt, favorable consideration of this legislation. The Bureau of the Budget has advised enactment of this legislation would be in accord with the program of the President. Sincerely, Attorney General. Hon. EMANUEL CELLER, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I would like to elaborate further on the Attorney General's letter of February 7, 1968, to the Speaker transmitting H.R. 15216. This bill would authorize the Bureau of Prisons to assist State and local governments in the improvement of their correctional systems. For many years, the Bureau of Prisons has provided such assistance to a very limited extent upon the request of State and local correctional agencies. This has meant that many requests for assistance are unanswered and the impact on improvement of corrections has been minimal. Usually, this help has been limited to sheriffs and other local officials with whom we have contract arrangements for housing Federal prisoners. We inspect contract facilities regularly, provide basic training for local jail personnel, and offer consultation in a wide range of operational problems and institution planning. We have on occasion responded to specific requests for assistance from State and local authorities where it was shown that the needs were great. During the past year, the new commissioner of corrections in Indiana requested help in solving a number of major operating problems which would enable him to plan and build a more effective State correctional system. We had our specialists in food service, medical programs, industrial operations, and institutional management stop over in Indiana while on field trips to the Midwest. While there, they assisted the commissioner in studying these problem areas and recommended remedial action. 90-760 O-74-67 H.R. 1212 |