Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act

Jun 12, 2026

Summary

Increases the jail time for giving a phone to an inmate and makes the Bureau of Prisons review its rules to better protect people in prison.

What problem does this solve?

Inmates using illegal phones in prison can cause serious danger to staff and others. This bill increases the punishment for smuggling phones and requires a review of prison safety rules to prevent future harm.

What does this bill do?

Increased penalty for providing phones to inmates

Increases the maximum prison sentence to 2 years for providing a cell phone or other similar device to an inmate.

Requires review of prison contraband policies

Directs the Bureau of Prisons to review its policies on prohibited items to improve safety for both inmates and staff.

Mandates policy updates for safety

Requires the Bureau of Prisons to update its policies as needed based on its review to better protect incarcerated people and staff.

Who does this affect?

Federal inmates
Bureau of Prisons staff
Individuals smuggling contraband into prisons

What is the real world impact?

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Honors a fallen corrections officer

The bill is named for Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati, a corrections officer who was killed in a crime coordinated by an inmate using a smuggled cell phone. It aims to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.

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Focuses on punishment over prevention

Critics might argue that increasing penalties is a reaction to a problem, not a solution. It may not address the security failures or staff issues that allow phones and other illegal items to get into prisons.

When does this start?

The bill sets a one-year deadline for the Bureau of Prisons to review its policies after the bill becomes law.

Policy review deadline

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons must conduct a review of its contraband policies within one year of the bill becoming law.