Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.3612 - End For-Profit Prisons Act of 2025 (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.3612, the End For-Profit Prisons Act of 2025, aims to eliminate the use of for-profit entities for federal correctional and community confinement facilities. The bill restricts the Attorney General's authority to contract with these entities, mandating that core correctional services be performed by federal government employees. It also includes provisions for phasing out existing contracts, reporting on prison populations, researching recidivism reduction programs, inspecting correctional facilities, and providing information and counseling to released prisoners.

Expected Effects

The bill would shift the responsibility for managing federal prisons and community confinement facilities from private companies to the federal government. This would likely result in changes to staffing, operational procedures, and potentially the quality of services provided to inmates. The Act also emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration through research and support programs for released prisoners.

Potential Benefits

  • Potentially improved conditions and treatment of inmates due to direct government oversight.
  • Increased accountability and transparency in correctional services.
  • Focus on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through research and support programs.
  • Elimination of profit motive in incarceration, potentially leading to more humane practices.
  • Enhanced data collection and reporting on prison populations, allowing for better policy decisions.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to government-run facilities.
  • Possible job losses in the private prison sector.
  • Risk of decreased efficiency if government agencies are not adequately prepared to manage the facilities.
  • Transition challenges in phasing out existing contracts and transferring responsibilities.
  • Potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in government-run correctional facilities.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill's focus on federal correctional facilities falls under the purview of Congress to regulate and maintain a system of federal prisons, as implied by Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers. The Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, is also relevant, as the bill seeks to improve conditions and treatment within correctional facilities. The reporting requirements and focus on recidivism align with the government's responsibility to ensure public safety and administer justice fairly.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).