This Policy Brief reviews recent developments in the correctional oversight field in the United States, with particular attention to how bipartisan cooperation has shaped the creation of these bodies, and how their design and funding determine their effectiveness. The brief provides profiles of the nine states that have established independent prison oversight bodies since 2018, as well as the Federal Prison Oversight Act, and highlights other notable developments. The analysis reveals that the establishment of an oversight body is a significant first step, but its long-term impact depends on whether lawmakers pair enabling legislation with the resources and support necessary for meaningful implementation.
