The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) navigated a transformative year in 2024, grappling with a complex interplay of progress, challenges, and the resolution of long-standing issues. Under the leadership of Director Collette Peters, the agency embarked on a path toward streamlining operations and addressing critical concerns such as chronic understaffing and the urgent need for infrastructure modernization. Despite a significant decrease in the inmate population compared to its peak in 2023, the BOP’s budget, the largest within the Department of Justice, continued to expand due to rising costs associated with overtime pay, prisoner healthcare, basic living expenses, and the maintenance of aging facilities. This financial strain, coupled with the incoming administration’s focus on cost-cutting measures, sets the stage for a challenging period requiring innovative solutions to balance fiscal responsibility with the imperative of maintaining safe and humane conditions for inmates. The BOP’s adaptability and capacity for reform will be crucial in meeting these evolving demands and public expectations.
Director Peters inherited an agency burdened by a history of scrutiny from oversight bodies like the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Congress, and the Government Accountability Office, which had designated the BOP as high-risk due to management deficiencies. Low employee morale, reflected in the BOP’s last-place ranking in job satisfaction among federal agencies, further complicated the situation. Despite substantial retention bonuses and incentives for new recruits, attracting and retaining qualified staff remained a significant hurdle, underscoring the need for comprehensive reforms. However, Peters garnered congressional support and witnessed the passage of the Bureau of Prisons Oversight law, a landmark achievement mandating unannounced inspections and the establishment of an ombudsman to address inmate grievances. These measures signaled a significant shift towards greater transparency and accountability within the agency.
One of the BOP’s most notable successes in 2024 was the effective management of the CARES Act program, which facilitated the transfer of eligible inmates to home confinement during the pandemic. This initiative allowed vulnerable prisoners, primarily the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, to complete their sentences under strict supervision within their communities. The program’s success, demonstrated by the overwhelming majority of participants completing their terms without incident, culminated in President Biden granting clemency to the remaining 1,500 CARES Act prisoners. This achievement not only highlighted the viability of alternative incarceration models but also provided a potential blueprint for future reforms, particularly in aligning with the objectives of the First Step Act. By exploring opportunities to expand community-based sentencing for minimum-security inmates, the BOP could potentially reduce costs, enhance rehabilitation outcomes, and address some of the deep-rooted systemic issues that have long plagued the agency.
Under Director Peters’ leadership, the implementation of the First Step Act gained significant momentum. Notably, the introduction of a forward-looking sentence calculation tool provided much-needed clarity on projected release dates, enabling more effective planning for inmate transitions into reentry programs and halfway houses. While some challenges persist, this improved system ensures that inmates receive accurate credit for their participation in rehabilitative programs, a crucial step towards a more just and equitable system. Furthermore, Peters took decisive action by closing six minimum-security male prisons and permanently shuttering FCI Dublin, a women’s facility marred by a history of sexual abuse by staff members, culminating in a substantial settlement in a lawsuit brought by the victims. While these closures necessitate the reassignment of staff and inmates, they represent a commitment to accountability and a move towards a more responsible allocation of resources. However, the closure of several Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) facilities within these institutions exacerbates the already limited capacity for such programs nationwide, posing a challenge to providing essential rehabilitation services.
Despite the progress in implementing the First Step Act’s sentence calculation provisions, the limited capacity of halfway houses continues to hinder the smooth transition of eligible inmates into prerelease community confinement. While efforts to expand halfway house capacity are ongoing, they have not kept pace with the growing number of eligible inmates. The release of 1,500 CARES Act prisoners may offer some temporary relief, but a long-term solution requires significant investment in expanding community-based reentry programs. Furthermore, the BOP continues to grapple with systemic issues in providing adequate healthcare to inmates, particularly in its medical centers. An OIG report highlighted severe staffing shortages at FMC Devens, compromising the facility’s ability to deliver appropriate medical care. This, coupled with recent cases of staff misconduct related to inmate healthcare, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the well-being of incarcerated individuals.
Looking forward to 2025, the BOP faces a new era under the Trump administration, with anticipated changes in Department of Justice policy, including a potential expansion of the death penalty and increased use of presidential pardons. The nomination of Pam Bondi as Attorney General signals a shift in federal enforcement and corrections priorities. The renewed interest in private prisons, evidenced by the surge in private prison company stocks following the election, suggests a potential role for these entities in expanding halfway house capacity and facilitating the transition of more inmates into community confinement. This potential reliance on private prisons raises concerns about oversight, accountability, and the potential for prioritizing profit over rehabilitation and the well-being of inmates. The BOP’s ability to navigate these changes while upholding its core mission of safe and humane incarceration will be a defining factor in the years to come.
