U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) recently touted the benefits of $180,460,000 in additional Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) funding secured in the 2023 Government Spending Package.
According to Cartwright, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies chair, the allotment will sustain and increase nationwide BOP recruitment and hiring initiatives.
“This funding will address critical staffing shortages at federal prisons across the country, including the U.S. Penitentiary, Canaan, in Wayne County,” Cartwright said. “This much-needed financial support will provide robust federal investment in the safety of our federal prisons and the brave correction officers who go to work in them every day. I was proud to deliver this essential funding as the chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee.”
The BOP was funded at $8.7 billion, representing an increase of $582.6 million, or 7 percent more than the fiscal year 2022 enacted level. It includes funding for programs to allow prisoners to reenter society successfully, in addition to communications and security upgrades and other maintenance and repairs in federal prison facilities.
Additionally, $180 million of the funding has been earmarked for recruiting, retaining, and hiring qualified corrections officers through offering competitive pay and benefits.
“We appreciate Congressman Cartwright’s support and his ongoing efforts to help us recruit and retain employees at USP Canaan,” Corrections Officer Dave Demas, AFGE Local 3003 Union President, said. “In addition to corrections officers, we’re actively hiring for a number of positions, including all levels of medical personnel and administrative and clerical workers. The money Congressman Cartwright has helped us secure will really help us in our recruitment efforts and maintain our high standards of safety and professionalism throughout the institution.”