Title: Bureau of Prisons Director Departs on President Trump's Inauguration Day
Colette Peters, who had only been the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for 30 months, abruptly resigned on President Trump's inauguration day. William Lathrop, the Deputy Director, was appointed as the acting director in her place. The BOP was no stranger to the issues that Peters faced on her first day in August 2022: staffing shortages, dilapidated buildings, and dismal morale.
Shortly after Trump's election, Peters announced the closure of seven prisons, including FCI Dublin, which infamously earned the title "rape club" following the conviction of several staff members for inappropriate relationships with female inmates. The settlement resulting from a lawsuit brought by 103 women incarcerated at FCI Dublin required a payout of $116 million.
Though Peters seemed to enjoy a positive rapport with Congress, she faced challenges in implementing real change. Barack Biden signed the Federal Prison Oversight Law in 2024, granting the Office of Inspector General (OIG) the authority to conduct unannounced prison inspections. OIG reports highlighted issues with staffing, medical care, food quality, and living conditions at BOP facilities. Despite Peters' approval of the law, funding has yet to be provided.
Staffing remained a persistent challenge for Peters. Despite increased salaries and retention bonuses, staffing shortages persisted, leading to extended lockdowns and decreased programming at BOP facilities. An OIG inspection at FMC Devens revealed that 20% of positions in Correctional Services, 24% in Health Services, and 39% in Psychology Services were vacant, impacting the provision of adequate healthcare to inmates.
The BOP estimates that it requires over $3 billion to modernize its aging facilities. However, year after year, the BOP receives only a fraction of this needed funding, exacerbating the problem. The closure of six male prisons, three of which were stand-alone facilities, was a well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective cost-cutting measure.
Peters made strides in implementing the First Step Act, Trump's signature criminal justice reform legislation. The Act allowed many minimum and low-security prisoners to reduce their sentences by engaging in programming and productive activities, resulting in the early release of nearly 50,000 prisoners. However, the BOP's lack of halfway house capacity and confusion surrounding the law's provisions led to many inmates remaining incarcerated longer than necessary.
In an attempt to increase transparency, Peters provided an extensive interview to CBS' "60 Minutes." However, the interview failed to change public or BOP employee perceptions, and there were awkward moments when Peters could not provide specific answers. The relationship between Peters and the BOP's frontline staff was also strained, as staff continued to bear the burden of long hours and mixed assignments.
After Trump's election, there was a clear shift, with a call for a temporary hiring freeze and a return to office-based work. Trump favored the use of private prisons, a practice both Obama and Biden discouraged. Trump subsequently issued an executive order reverting the ban on private prisons, setting the stage for possible changes under his administration.
The BOP faces numerous challenges, including significant staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and difficulties in implementing reform legislation. The First Step Act provided a much-needed boost, but its consistent implementation remains elusive due to factors like limited halfway house capacity.
As the Trump administration seeks to make significant changes and capitalize on the Republican majority in the House and Senate, the BOP is poised for a potential overhaul. The Department of Government Efficiency has vowed to cut millions from government spending, and the BOP is an appealing target due to its substantial budget.
Under Trump, the BOP will likely see a shift in leadership. As the new director will be the 6th since Trump's first term, stability within the agency is crucial, given that nearly 50% of federal prisoners are minimum or low security. Maintaining safety and security while bringing about efficiency and humane change will be a delicate balance under the new administration.
Senator Dick Durbin, a vocal critic of the bureau's conditions, expressed concern over Colette Peters' resignation and the ongoing issues within the BOP. Donald Trump, in his new presidency, reportedly considered several candidates to replace Peters as director of the Bureau of Prisons.
