WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation that would significantly raise pay for federal correctional officers as the Bureau of Prisons continues to grapple with chronic staffing shortages and heavy reliance on mandatory overtime.
The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act, introduced in January by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and David McCormick (R-Pa.), would establish a 35% increase to base pay for federal correctional officers nationwide, using a statutory rate tied to the General Schedule.
Supporters of the bill say the pay increase is intended to improve recruitment and retention at federal prisons, where staffing shortages have led to officer burnout, excessive overtime, and safety concerns for both staff and incarcerated individuals.
Staffing shortages and overtime pressures
The Bureau of Prisons has struggled for years to fill correctional officer vacancies, a problem that has intensified in recent years. According to a February 2024 report from the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, BOP facilities have increasingly relied on staff augmentation and mandatory overtime to maintain operations.
The report warned that prolonged overtime and staffing gaps may contribute to fatigue, sleep deprivation, reduced vigilance and inattentiveness to duty, raising concerns about officer safety and institutional security.
Facilities such as FCI Berlin in New Hampshire and USP Canaan in Pennsylvania have been cited by lawmakers as examples of prisons where staffing shortages have forced officers to work extended hours to keep units running.
What the bill would do
If enacted, the Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act would:
- Create a special rate of pay for federal correctional officers to address recruitment and retention challenges
- Increase base pay by 35% across the General Schedule (GS) for eligible correctional officers
- Apply to officers with custodial responsibilities, including GS employees, GL law enforcement officers and certain prevailing-rate employees
- Include a sunset review provision, requiring the DOJ Inspector General to assess whether the BOP has made measurable progress in reducing staff augmentation and excessive mandatory overtime
Under the bill, if the Inspector General determines that meaningful progress has been made, the special salary rate would remain in place. A report on the review would be submitted to Congress.
Closing the pay gap
Lawmakers backing the legislation say federal correctional officers are paid significantly less than other federal law enforcement personnel, despite facing comparable risks.
Proponents argue that raising pay could help stabilize staffing levels, reduce mandatory overtime, restore programming inside facilities and improve overall safety. They also say the bill is intended as a long-term solution rather than a temporary incentive.
Support from labor groups
The legislation has received endorsements from several correctional and law enforcement organizations, including the Council of Prison Locals C-33, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) and regional police benevolent associations. House sponsors have also cited support from AFGE Council of Prison Locals 33 and affiliated locals.
The bill builds on earlier efforts by lawmakers to preserve retention incentives at federal prisons after proposed cuts raised concerns about worsening staffing shortages.
What happens next
The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act has been introduced but has not yet advanced through committee.
