Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to send a detailed report to Congress every year describing how disasters like hurricanes or pandemics affected federal prisons. This report must include information on injuries or deaths of both inmates and staff, as well as how much it will cost to fix any physical damage to the buildings.
• Prisons would have to explain how they handled basic needs during an emergency, such as providing clean drinking water, food, and medical care. They must also report on whether they allowed inmates to visit with lawyers or family and if they considered moving some people to home confinement to keep them safe.
• The Bureau of Prisons would be required to create a plan to fix problems found after a disaster. A specific official would be put in charge of making sure these improvements actually happen, such as modernizing emergency plans for extreme weather or public health crises.
• The group that advises the government on prison policy would grow by four members. These new spots would be filled by people with specific experience, including a former inmate or advocate, an emergency response expert, a public health professional, and a union representative for prison workers.
• Within one year, a public hearing must be held to discuss how prisons can better prepare for disasters. This hearing will focus on making sure inmates still have access to basic necessities and legal help even when a facility is facing an emergency.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.