Reps. Foushee, Johnson, McBath Introduce Legislation to Prevent Overdose Deaths in Federal Prisons

WASHINGTON, DC (December 17, 2025) - Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Congressman Hank Johnson Jr. (GA-04), and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced the Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act of 2025, legislation to ensure life-saving opioid reversal medications, including naloxone (Narcan), are readily available throughout federal correctional facilities to reverse overdoses and prevent overdose deaths.

"Our country's opioid crisis does not stop at prison walls, and our commitment to harm reduction should not either," said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). "More people than ever are dying preventable deaths in our federal prisons, and Congress must act. This legislation is a necessary step toward justice and part of a broader effort to invest in mental health and addiction services while treating substance use as a public health crisis, not a criminal one."

"Overdose deaths in federal prisons are a huge problem, and are only getting worse," said Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04). "It's a dangerous situation for both inmates and prison staff. I'm joining Congresswoman Foushee to address this critical issue that plagues our prisons, just as it plagues our streets. Having dedicated Narcan kits and staff trained to use them at our prisons will save lives. I look forward to this bill becoming law, so we can improve staff and inmates' safety in federal facilities."

"The opioid crisis does not stop at the prison gate, so it's important that we do what we can as elected leaders to protect the health and safety of all Americans," said Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06). "This bill is about putting prevention over punishment and making sure life-saving emergency treatment-like naloxone-and training are available wherever they may be needed. I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Foushee, for her work on this issue as we work with law enforcement to modernize our federal prison system."

According to a 2021 U.S. Department of Justice report, drug and alcohol intoxication is the second leading cause of unnatural death in state and federal prisons after suicide. The Marshall Project documented this alarming trend, finding these addiction-related deaths in prisons rose 611% between 2001 and 2018. The Department of Justice has also reported that drug overdoses accounted for around 20% of the deaths reported in Federal Bureau of Prisons institutions.

The Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act requires federal correction facilities to maintain properly stored, unexpired opioid antagonists in accessible locations and to train all personnel and incarcerated individuals to recognize overdose symptoms and how to administer the medication. The legislation also directs the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to submit an annual report to Congress detailing opioid antagonist availability, overdoes incidents, staff training completion, and expired kits at each federal correctional facility.

The Prison Policy Initiative has proudly endorsed this legislation stating "[the Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act] prioritizes people over punishment and enhances safety for incarcerated people and prison staff alike. Studies estimate that between 15 and 20% of people in federal prisons have an opioid disorder. In an opioid overdose in prison, every minute counts. The Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act ensures that naloxone is available not just in prison medical units, but in areas accessible to staff and incarcerated people themselves in times of crisis. It also mandates crucial training for staff on how to recognize and respond to an overdose. This common-sense legislation will save lives."

This legislation is also endorsed by the Vera Institute of Justice.

The full text of the bill can be found here.