{"id":2367933,"date":"2024-11-12T17:26:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T22:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senators-investigating-federal-prisons-for-allegedly-freezing-out-faith-based-groups-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-12T17:28:05","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T22:28:05","slug":"senators-investigating-federal-prisons-for-allegedly-freezing-out-faith-based-groups-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senators-investigating-federal-prisons-for-allegedly-freezing-out-faith-based-groups-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Senators investigating federal prisons for allegedly freezing out faith-based groups &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsenators-investigating-federal-prisons-for-allegedly-freezing-out-faith-based-groups-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2367933&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senators James \u2063Lankford (R-OK) and\u200c Gary\u2063 Peters (D-MI) have launched an inquiry into the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) \u2063regarding claims that the agency has dismissed numerous applications from faith-based organizations aimed at\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/prison-inmate-kills-serial-killer-accused-of-22-murders\/\" title=\"Inmate eliminates serial killer linked to 22 murders.\">reducing recidivism rates<\/a> among inmates. In a letter \u2063to BOP Director Colette\u200b Peters, the senators pointed out that out \u200bof eight applications from religious groups specializing in recidivism support, only two were partially accepted, \u2062while five were outright \u200cdenied, and one is still under review.\u2062 This issue is \u200bparticularly concerning as many individuals within the BOP are currently on waitlists to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">access evidence-based recidivism reduction programs<\/a>.\u200d The First Step\u200d Act, a significant legislative achievement from Donald Trump&#8217;s first term, mandates that federal prisons allow private organizations, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/catholic-bishops-rebuke-self-described-strong-catholic-terry-mcauliffe\/\" title=\"Catholic Bishops Rebuke Self-Described \u2018Strong Catholic\u2019 Terry McAuliffe\">including faith-based<\/a> entities, to\u200c provide such services. Lankford highlighted his ongoing efforts to hold the BOP accountable for\u2062 collaborating with these organizations to lower recidivism rates, noting that\u2063 effective programs could include mental health treatment and housing assistance for inmates post-release. The involvement of Peters adds a bipartisan dimension to the inquiry, emphasizing the importance of implementing the act&#8217;s provisions more effectively, as it has been over five years since the law was passed.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Senators launch inquiry into federal prisons for allegedly freezing out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-moves-to-scrap-trump-rule-protecting-religious-liberty-of-federal-contractors\/\" title=\"Biden Admin Moves to Scrap Trump Rule Protecting Religious Liberty of Federal Contractors\">faith-based groups<\/a><\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1879877\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE &mdash;<\/strong> A pair of senators demanded information from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bureau-of-prisons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Bureau of Prisons<\/a> on Tuesday about its efforts to improve recidivism rates after learning that the agency has rejected numerous attempts from faith-based groups to help.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Sens. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-lankford\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"James Lankford\">James Lankford<\/a> (R-OK) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gary-peters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"James Lankford\">Gary Peters<\/a> (D-MI) revealed in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/document\/791447403\/Lankford-and-Peters-Letter?secret_password=YEom8uEBIluMV6JTOPzE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">letter<\/a> obtained by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> to Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters that they had learned the agency received applications from eight groups with religious affiliations that specialized in recidivism reduction but only partially accepted two of them.<\/p>\n<p>Five of the eight applications were denied and a sixth remains pending, Lankford and Peters said. The Bureau of Prisons is required under the First Step Act to allow private organizations, including faith-based ones, to provide recidivism services to federal prisons.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These numbers are concerning, particularly at a time when individuals across the BOP system are on waitlists to participate in [evidence-based recidivism reduction] programming,&rdquo; Lankford and Peters wrote.<\/p>\n<p>The First Step Act was one of President-elect Donald Trump&rsquo;s chief accomplishments during his first term in office. Its purpose was to lower the prison population, in part by improving recidivism, that is, lowering the number of people who commit more crimes after leaving prison. Recidivism services could include coming up with mental health treatment plans for inmates or helping them find housing when their sentences end.<\/p>\n<p>Lankford, in particular, has been pursuing information from the Bureau of Prisons for at least a year about what work it has done to partner with private groups to reduce recidivism, including those with religious affiliations. Lankford successfully offered the amendment to the First Step Act that required this public-private partnership.<\/p>\n<p>Bringing Peters, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, into the fold escalates Lankford&rsquo;s initial inquiries and adds a bipartisan element to it.<\/p>\n<p>The First Step Act was &ldquo;signed into law over five years ago, but the implementation of recidivism reduction partnerships appears stagnant,&rdquo; Lankford and Peters wrote.<\/p>\n<p>The pair of senators demanded the Bureau of Prisons director provide them with details about the application process for organizations that want to provide recidivism services. They also asked for all records the agency had regarding the selection process.<\/p>\n<p>Numerous outside <a href=\"https:\/\/prisonsandjustice.georgetown.edu\/dc-organizations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">groups<\/a>, such as Families Against Mandatory Minimums, focus on helping inmates reenter society. The Catholic Mobilizing Network is an example of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/facebooks-political-ad-ban-is-blocking-vaccine-information\/\" title=\"Facebook\u2019s Political Ad Ban Is Blocking Vaccine Information\">faith-based group<\/a> that provides similar services. Lankford and Peters did not identify which of the faith-based groups the Bureau of Prisons denied.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed to the&nbsp;<em>Washington Examiner<\/em>&nbsp;that it received the senators&rsquo; letter but declined to comment further.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Federal Bureau of Prisons responds directly to Members of Congress and their staff,&rdquo; the spokesperson said. &ldquo;Out of respect and deference to Members, we do not share our Congressional correspondence with media.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1879877\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1879877\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senators investigate federal prisons for excluding faith-based groups<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":2367934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AP22348473300836.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[44878,44877,3976,3709,32076],"class_list":["post-2367933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-faith-based-groups","tag-federal-prisons","tag-investigation","tag-senators","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AP22348473300836.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2367933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2367933"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2367933\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2367937,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2367933\/revisions\/2367937"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2367934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2367933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2367933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2367933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}