Oversight

There Have Been Huge Gaps in FBI Hate Crime Data for Years. A New Law Aims to Fix That.

A lack of reliable hate crime data has left authorities with neither a complete understanding of such incidents nor the tools needed to address them, ProPublica reported. A bill Biden just signed will start to address that.

Oversight

Watchdog Warns of Possible Security Weaknesses at Some Federal Prisons

Inmate escapes put communities at risk and increase chances of smuggling contraband into facilities, said the Justice inspector general. 

Defense

Kirsten Gillibrand and Joni Ernst Can Pass Their Military Sexual Assault Bill — They Just Need a Senate Vote

The senators have a bipartisan measure to put independent prosecutors, not military commanders, in charge of serious crimes.

Oversight

Vanita Gupta Confirmed to Key Justice Department Job in Narrow Senate Vote

Gupta will be the first woman of color and civil rights attorney to serve as associate attorney general. Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined with Democrats in the vote.

Defense

'I Felt Hate More Than Anything': How an Active Duty Airman Tried to Start a Civil War

Steven Carrillo’s path to the Boogaloo Bois shows the hate group is far more organized and dangerous than previously known.

Management

Less Than Half of Federal Bureau of Prisons Staff Have Accepted COVID Vaccines From the Agency

Director encourages employees to get vaccinated, tells lawmakers 49% have been inoculated by the bureau so far. 

Workforce

New Attorney General Thanks Employees for Their Public Service, Vows Commitment to ‘Norms’

Merrick Garland addresses the Justice Department’s over 115,000 employees on his first day in office. 

Management

Federal Bureau of Prisons Launches New Hiring Effort 

Staff recruitment and retention have been long-term challenges, despite a decrease in the inmate population. 

Management

Homeland Security Department Prepares for Super Bowl Amid the Pandemic

“We’re seeing seamless cooperation in all levels of the government,” said one DHS official. 

Management

GovExec Daily: The Post-COVID World in Corrections Systems

University of Texas' Michele Deitch joins the podcast to discuss how prisons and jails have dealt with the pandemic.

Management

Biden Directs Justice Department Not to Renew Private Prisons Contracts 

“Privately operated criminal detention facilities consistently underperform federal facilities with respect to correctional services, programs and resources,” said the executive order. 

Oversight

Will Merrick Garland, Joe Biden’s Pick for Attorney General, Be Independent in that Role? History Says It’s Unlikely

History shows that attorneys general who are picked by – and serve at the pleasure of – the president are not as independent as they may be expected to be.

Management

Federal Bureau of Prisons Goes Into National Lockdown Ahead of Inauguration 

The agency said the “precautionary” move was “not in response to any significant events” occurring inside its facilities.

Workforce

Capitol Police Names First Woman to Lead as Acting Chief in the Wake of Insurrection

Yogananda Pittman, who is also the first Black person to head the law enforcement agency, assumed the role on Friday.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: The 'Infamously Opaque' Capitol Police

Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss why law enforcement was so unprepared for the insurrection at the Capitol.

Management

D.C. Mayor Asks For More Inauguration Security

Multiple armed protests are reportedly being planned for later this month.