Miller, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Keep Fentanyl out of Prisons

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE), Barry Moore (R-AL), Jared Moskowtiz (D-FL), Henry Cueller (D-TX), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Chris Pappas (D-NH), and Randy Weber (R-TX) in introducing the bipartisan Marc Fischer Memorial Interdiction of Fentanyl in Postal Mail at Federal Prisons Act. The fentanyl epidemic has claimed thousands of American lives. It is a particular problem among the incarcerated, a significant number of whom suffer from addiction. The legislation is named for Marc Fischer, a mailroom supervisor and Coast Guard veteran who died at Atwater Federal Prison from the exact kind of fentanyl exposure the bill targets.

Prisons have experienced a 600 percent rise in drug overdoses among inmates over the past several years, driven by the smuggling of fentanyl and other contraband through the mail service. Fentanyl poses a significant risk to the health and safety of inmates and prison employees. H.R. 1046 will require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to develop a plan to transition to digital mail scanning.

“The fentanyl and opioid crises in America have devastated our communities and will continue to until we combat the flow of drugs throughout the United States. The Interdiction of Fentanyl in Postal Mail at Federal Prisons Act will prevent fentanyl from being smuggled through postal mail into federal prisons and implement better living and working conditions at these facilities. Congress must partner with President Trump to stop the overwhelming flood of fentanyl into our communities. The safety of our inmates, officers, and staff is of the utmost importance as we take crucial steps to stop the drug crisis in America," said Congresswoman Miller.

“Digitizing mail has been shown to be an effective method for keeping this deadly drug away from inmates and protecting employees who are tasked with processing the mail. Neglecting this simple solution diverts resources and threatens health and safety at our prisons,” said Congressman Bacon.

Click here for bill text.