FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)

Rep. Crawford Introduces Legislation to Prevent Housing Prisoners with Persons of Opposite Sex

2/23/2022

Washington — Friday, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) introduced the Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act. The legislation would prohibit the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) from housing prisoners with other inmates of the opposite sex. Many states have begun to allow men to transfer to women’s prisons if they claim to be transgender. This policy has resulted in several men who are convicted of sexually assaulting women being transferred to women prisons despite not having undergone any hormone treatments or gender reassignment surgeries. There have also been several reports that President Biden is preparing an Executive Order which would solidify this dangerous practice on a national level. 

This bill serves at the House companion bill to Senator Cotton’s bill of the same title, S. 3481. 

“One of the main purposes of having gender-specific prisons is so women inmates don’t have to face their prison sentence with the looming threat that they could become victims of sex-related crimes. This policy being pushed by the Biden Administration increases the risk of sexual assault and puts women in harm’s way. I stand with my Arkansas colleague in the Senate to end this horrendous plan and allow our prisons to function the way they are intended – with inmates in the appropriate prison that aligns with their biological gender,” said Rep. Crawford.

“President Biden’s plan to house male and female prisoners together will put women in danger. Documented cases prove that placing men—including ones who ‘identify’ as female—in women’s prisons puts female inmates at increased risk of sexual assault. My bill will stop the president’s ill-conceived plan and keep men and women separated in federal prison,” said Sen. Cotton (R-AR).

“The National Prison Council supports the efforts of both Representative Crawford and Senator Cotton for introducing the “Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act of 2022. The Federal Law Enforcement Officers of the Bureau of Prisons are not only entrusted to protect our local communities from prison violence, they also have a duty to provide a safe environment for all offenders. Prisons provide an exceptional challenge in designating housing assignments and providing safe and secure facilities to house offenders utilizing many unique factors to protect them from predatory behaviors, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity. This piece of legislation takes necessary steps in protecting incarcerated Americans during their term of confinement. They were sentenced to incarceration, not sentenced to further victimization,” said Shane Fausey, National President of National Council of Prison Locals. 

“I’m proud to support this important legislation to counter efforts by the self-identification and gender identity movement to pressure federal prisons, jails, and detention centers into holding males—including those who are known sex offenders— with females. This is not only inhumane, but it would have devasting impacts on incarcerated women. No matter their preferred identification, able-bodied men should not be housed with women,” said Rep. Buck (CO-04).

“I am angered that our criminal justice system is ignoring the needs and safety of women in prison. The fundamental purpose of a women’s prison, to rehabilitate and house women who have been convicted, is defeated by including male offenders who claim a feminine gender identity but are not biologically female. Being imprisoned should not mean a loss of the right to privacy or dignity, and I am glad this bill boldly speaks to solve this issue,” said Rep. Gohmert (TX-01).

“Housing women and men together in prison increases the chance of sexual assault and violence against women. Incarcerated women deserve safety and dignity; prison should be a chance for rehabilitation, not a hunting ground for predators. We need to stop this “woke” agenda and keep incarcerated men and women separate,”said Rep. LaMalfa (CA-01).

“Biden’s woke liberal madness continues with his plan to send men into female prisons as long as they identify as women. Radical transgender advocates have taken over the Democrat Party and are putting women in danger with this extremist agenda,” said Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15).

“Pushing a plan to place men in female prisons under the misguided notion of ‘fairness’ or ‘equity’ and based entirely on personal preference and claimed gender identity is ridiculous. Giving inmates the power to dictate the terms of their incarceration for any reason is illogical,” said Rep. Westerman (AR-04). 

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