[114th Congress Public Law 133]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 295]]
ERIC WILLIAMS CORRECTIONAL OFFICER PROTECTION ACT OF 2015
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Public Law 114-133
114th Congress
An Act
To amend title 18, United States Code, to authorize the Director of the
Bureau of Prisons to issue oleoresin capsicum spray to officers and
employees of the Bureau of Prisons. <<NOTE: Mar. 9, 2016 - [S. 238]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Eric Williams
Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015.>>
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 18 USC 1 note.>> SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Eric Williams Correctional Officer
Protection Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BUREAU OF PRISONS AUTHORIZED
TO CARRY OLEORESIN CAPSICUM SPRAY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 303 of part III of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 4049. <<NOTE: 18 USC 4049.>> Officers and employees of the
Bureau of Prisons authorized to carry oleoresin
capsicum spray
``(a) In General.--The Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall
issue, on a routine basis, oleoresin capsicum spray to--
``(1) any officer or employee of the Bureau of Prisons who--
``(A) is employed in a prison that is not a minimum
or low security prison; and
``(B) may respond to an emergency situation in such
a prison; and
``(2) to such additional officers and employees of prisons
as the Director determines appropriate, in accordance with this
section.
``(b) Training Requirement.--
``(1) In general.--In order for an officer or employee of
the Bureau of Prisons, including a correctional officer, to be
eligible to receive and carry oleoresin capsicum spray pursuant
to this section, the officer or employee shall complete a
training course before being issued such spray, and annually
thereafter, on the use of oleoresin capsicum spray.
``(2) Transferability of training.--An officer or employee
of the Bureau of Prisons who completes a training course
pursuant to paragraph (1) and subsequently transfers to
employment at a different prison, shall not be required to
complete an additional training course solely due such transfer.
``(3) Training conducted during regular employment.--An
officer or employee of the Bureau of Prisons who completes a
training course required under paragraph (1) shall do so during
the course of that officer or employee's regular employment, and
shall be compensated at the same rate that the
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officer or employee would be compensated for conducting the
officer or employee's regular duties.
``(c) Use of Oleoresin Capsicum Spray.--Officers and employees of
the Bureau of Prisons issued oleoresin capsicum spray pursuant to
subsection (a) may use such spray to reduce acts of violence--
``(1) committed by prisoners against themselves, other
prisoners, prison visitors, and officers and employees of the
Bureau of Prisons; and
``(2) committed by prison visitors against themselves,
prisoners, other visitors, and officers and employees of the
Bureau of Prisons.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 303 of
part III of title 18, United States Code, <<NOTE: 18 USC prec.
4041.>> is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4048
the following:
``4049. Officers and employees of the Bureau of Prisons authorized to
carry oleoresin capsicum spray.''.
SEC. 3. GAO <<NOTE: Evaluation. Recommenda- tions.>> REPORT.
Not later than the date that is 3 years after the date on which the
Director of the Bureau of Prisons begins to issue oleoresin capsicum
spray to officers and employees of the Bureau of Prisons pursuant to
section 4049 of title 18, United States Code, as added by this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a
report that includes the following:
(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of issuing oleoresin
capsicum spray to officers and employees of the Bureau of
Prisons in prisons that are not minimum or low security prisons
on--
(A) reducing crime in such prisons; and
(B) reducing acts of violence committed by prisoners
against themselves, other prisoners, prison visitors,
and officers and employees of the Bureau of Prisons in
such prisons.
(2) An evaluation of the advisability of issuing oleoresin
capsicum spray to officers and employees of the Bureau of
Prisons in prisons that are minimum or low security prisons,
including--
(A) the effectiveness that issuing such spray in
such prisons would have on reducing acts of violence
committed by prisoners against themselves, other
prisoners, prison visitors, and officers and employees
of the Bureau of Prisons in such prisons; and
(B) the cost of issuing such spray in such prisons.
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(3) Recommendations to improve the safety of officers and
employees of the Bureau of Prisons in prisons.
Approved March 9, 2016.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 238:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 161 (2015):
Dec. 16, considered and passed
Senate.
Vol. 162 (2016):
Feb. 24, considered and passed
House.
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