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The Three Prisons Act
The Three Prisons Act of 1891 was a significant piece of legislation in the history of the U.S. corrections system. The act authorized the construction of the first three federal penitentiaries, marking the formal beginning of the federal prison system. -
Establishment of the Bureau of Prisons
Congress established the Bureau of Prisons within the Department of Justice to manage and regulate all federal penal and correctional institutions. The agency took over the oversight, management, and administration of the 11 federal prisons that were already in operation at the time. -
Opening of USP Lewisburg
USP Lewisburg was the first penitentiary built by the newly established Bureau of Prisons. It was a significant milestone in the growth of the federal prison system, which gradually expanded its facilities and inmate population over the years. -
Surge in Federal Inmate Population
The 1980s saw a substantial increase in the number of federal inmates due to law enforcement efforts and changes in sentencing laws. The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 established determinate sentencing, abolished parole, and reduced good time, leading to a significant rise in the inmate population.
During the 1990s, the federal inmate population more than doubled again, reaching approximately 136,000 at the end of 1999. -
Population Decline and Legislative Changes
For the first time in 34 years, the federal inmate population declined in 2014. Various legislative changes, including the First Step Act of 2018, have contributed to this decline, signaling a shift in the U.S. corrections system's approach to sentencing and rehabilitation. -
Sources
“7.01 A Brief History.” Buzz, si.agilixbuzz.com/student/home/courses. Accessed 30 July 2023.
“Federal Bureau of Prisons.” BOP, www.bop.gov/about/history/. Accessed 30 July 2023.