James Lightfoot: “I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Ohio and the gentleman from Michigan. This…”

“I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Ohio and the gentleman from Michigan. This amendment would prohibit the Federal Bureau of Prisons from allowing prisoners under its jurisdiction to engage in any activities designed to increase their physical strength. The amendment would ban free weights and all types of defensive and body-building training in prisons within the Federal Prisons System. It is appalling to think that someone who has been convicted of a violent crime could use the taxpayer's money and resources to become even more capable of violent acts. In addition, I am aware of incidents in Ohio and in New York in which prisoners used weight lifting equipment as riot weapons. Why should we give those who have violated the safety of our communities additional resources to wreak havoc? We need to make sure that individuals in prisons spend their time learning not to break the law again, not getting themselves pumped up at taxpayer's expense.”