Casey, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Stop Fentanyl from Entering Prisons, Protect Officers from Dangerous Exposure

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and introduced legislation to protect prison officers, staff, and inmates from fentanyl and other illicit substances entering the Federal Prison System through inmate mail. By directing the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to develop a strategy that guarantees all mail is screened for illicit contraband, the Interdiction of Fentanyl at Federal Prisons Act would reduce the risk of intentional poisoning or lethal exposure from illicit substances in federal prisons and support the 38,000 BOP corrections officers and staff that are dedicated to keeping prisons safe…

“The R Street Institute is happy to endorse the Interdiction of Fentanyl at the Federal Prisons Act, and we applaud Senators Bob Casey and Martin Heinrich for his leadership and collaborative approach to addressing this important issue. With understaffing rampant in our nation’s prisons, this bill will allow for a better allocation of human resources with the added potential of saving taxpayers $50-100 million annually. Not only is this a smart policy change, but it embraces technology and innovation to more effectively intercept and reduce the supply of fentanyl in our federal prisons,” said Anthony Lamorena, Senior Federal Affairs Manager at the R Street Institute…

This legislation is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), R Street Institute, National Association of Police Organizations, National District Attorneys Associations, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, and Voices of JOE.

Read more about the Interdiction of Fentanyl at Federal Prisons Act here.