Blackburn’s Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act On The Way To Trump’s Desk

Image Credit: Facebook accounts of Marsha Blackburn and Donald Trump

***Note from The Tennessee Conservative – this article posted here for informational purposes only.

By Kim Jarrett, The Center Square –

U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Marsha Blackburn are often on opposite sides of issues, but for the past two years, the two have been on the same side of an issue involving U.S. prison workers.

The U.S. House passed S.307, known as the “Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act,” on Monday by a vote of 376-8. It passed the Senate in 2025 and will now go to President Donald Trump for his signature. 

The unlikely allies teamed up on the bill after launching a 2024 inquiry into the inmate-on-staff sexual assault and harassment, following a 2023 report from the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General. The report showed that 40% of staff members employed by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons said they had been sexually harassed by an inmate. 

The report recommended that the Bureau of Prisons conduct risk assessments and ensure staff are trained on prohibited inmate behaviors. 

The proposal from Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Ossoff, D-Ga., required the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General to analyze sexual harassment and sexual assault punishments. Also included in the bill is the creation by the U.S. attorney general of national standards to address the issue. 

The two issued joint statements when the bill was introduced.

“I remain focused on oversight of the Federal prison system and ending sexual abuse in prisons and jails, including the abuse of prison staff,” Ossoff said. “Senator Blackburn and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help end sexual abuse in federal prisons.”

“No federal employee or law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work,” Blackburn said. “The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would help us end the sexual abuse of prison staff who are simply trying to do their jobs.”

Ossoff and Blackburn are running for office in their respective states. Ossoff is facing a challenge from Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, who voted for Ossoff and Blackburn’s bill on Monday. 

Blackburn is the Republican nominee for Tennessee governor. She will face Democrat Jerri Green, a Memphis City Council member, and 13 independent candidates in November.