WASHINGTON – On Friday, Congressman Lance Gooden (R-Texas) introduced legislation to increase oversight of the Bureau of Prison’s (BOP) Inmate Trust Fund Accounts that are shielded from law enforcement, court orders for restitution, child support payments and other debts.
Specifically, the Inmate Financial Accountability Taskforce Act would establish a joint task force to develop a strategic plan to improve coordination with federal and state agencies to improve oversight and debt collection of its Inmate Trust Fund Accounts.
Rep. Lance Gooden said, “Criminals in federal prison should not be shielded from their debts and obligations. Victims of their crimes deserve payment, and the mothers and fathers of their children deserve on-time child support payments. My bill injects more accountability into the criminal justice system and is long overdue.”
“NDAA is proud to support Congressman Lance Gooden’s legislation to establish a joint task force that will improve the ability of the Federal government to collect restitution, child support, and fines from those individuals convicted of serious crimes. Prosecutors are called upon to serve as advocates for victims of crimes and this legislative effort takes important steps to monitor, deter, and report illicit financial activity within BOP accounts to ensure survivors receive the financial compensation they are entitled to.” – Nelson Bunn, Executive Director, National District Attorneys Association.
Jason Wojdylo, Vice-President for Law Enforcement Operations of the U.S. Marshals Service Chapter at FMA, said, “We endorse this commonsense legislation that will create a task force to significantly improve the noble effort to collect duly ordered, court-imposed restitution and child support from federal inmates. Victims’ rights must no longer be flaunted by inmates from behind bars, prolonging unnecessary pain and suffering. Both sides of the aisle should quickly sign on to this Bill as co-sponsors. In the meantime, we are grateful for Congressman Gooden’s leadership on this issue.”
Earlier this year, Congressman Gooden led his colleagues in demanding answers on how the Bureau oversees federal inmates’ bank accounts, citing reports about restitution being withheld from victims and inmate participation in illicit activities. You can read the letter here.