Washington, D.C. – House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik joined Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) in reintroducing the BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act.
"For far too long, our Bureau of Prisons facilities have faced dangerous staffing shortages that threaten the safety of correctional officers, staff, and inmates alike. As the Representative of FCI Ray Brook, I am proud to support the BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act, a critical step toward reversing this crisis and restoring safe staffing levels across the Bureau of Prisons," said Chairwoman Stefanik. "This bill empowers BOP facilities to move swiftly to fill open positions and will significantly improve workforce morale, retention, and overall institutional safety. I thank Congressman Grothman for his leadership on this important issue, and I will continue to advocate for solutions that prioritize the safety of our correctional personnel and communities."
“One of the main hurdles in President Trump’s effort to reopen Alcatraz will be the ability to quickly hire Correctional Officers,” said Congressman Glenn Grothman. “That is why Congress needs to quickly pass this legislation to help the federal prison system which has been understaffed and overwhelmed for years. We have labor shortages everywhere in this country, but when it comes to hiring correctional officers, it is unnecessarily multiplied by the federal bureaucracy. I have toured the Federal Correctional Institution in Oxford, Wisconsin, which is part of the Bureau of Prisons, and I often receive feedback from many of its employees. Unfortunately, FCI Oxford is yet another example of the staffing crisis that has devastated BOP facilities and personnel across the country."
Background:
- Between January 2016 and September 2022, the number of BOP employees fell from 43,369 to 35,000, contributing to dangerously low staffing ratios at federal prisons across the country.
- The current hiring process—mandated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management—can take a minimum of 105 days, with many positions taking five to six months to fill.
- These delays have led to increased security risks, lower morale among existing staff, and unsustainable workloads.
This legislation earned strong support from correctional professionals across the country, including Shane Fausey, National President of the Council of Prison Locals, who has testified about the severity of the staffing crisis before the U.S. Senate.
Congresswoman Stefanik remains committed to delivering pragmatic, effective solutions that support law enforcement professionals and strengthen public safety.
Read the bill HERE.
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