NCJ Number
88401
Date Published
1983
Length
175 pages
Annotation
The hearings focus on two bills which would permit Federal surplus real property and personal property to be transferred without cost to State and local governments for use in correctional facilities.
Abstract
The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 already provides authority to give local public organizations surplus real estate to be used for schools, hospitals, parks, or historic monuments. In 1981, the Attorney General's task force on violent crime recommended that the act be amended to permit a similar arrangement to make property available for correctional purposes. The purpose of H.R. 4450 is to authorize the donation of surplus property to any State for the construction and modernization of criminal justice facilities. H.R. 6028 would amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to include correctional facilities. Statements are presented by representatives of such groups as the National Moratorium on Prison Construction; the Subcommittee on County Jails, California State Legislature; Friends Committee on National Legislation; the Senate; and the House of Representatives. Prepared statements are also submitted by several individuals. In general, participants favor the passage of the legislation, noting that prison overcrowding and bed shortages are two problems that the proposed legislation would address. Supplementary statements are appended.