Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal prisons are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and house individuals convicted of federal crimes. As of May 8, 2025, 143,699 federal inmates were in BOP custody. This directory provides articles and resources on the structure, policies and daily operations of BOP facilities and the unique challenges federal prisons face. Understanding the federal prison system is essential for professionals working within or alongside these institutions. For related topics, explore our section on the Department of Justice.
Some federal prison staff will see paychecks slashed by up to 25% as unions warn of “more turnover, burnout and instability” across BOP facilities
The court-approved agreement includes protections for transgender and non-citizen inmates, despite the Trump administration’s last-minute attempt to alter terms
The Federal Bureau of Prisons was directed to transfer inmate George John Hanson to be executed for his role in the 1999 kidnapping and killing of a 77-year-old woman
The man who took four people hostage on Saturday at a Texas synagogue was demanding Siddiqui’s release
The First Step Act is intended to encourage inmates to participate in programs aimed at reducing recidivism
The seized cash includes a $1,400 COVID stimulus check sent to Tsarnaev last June
The fact that executives are working to bring help to staff is good news, the union says
“His resignation is an opportunity for new, reform-minded leadership at the Bureau of Prisons,” Sen. Dick Durbin said
Because she was convicted of sex crimes, she won’t be assigned to a minimum-security prison camp
The union president blames increasing violence at United States Penitentiary Hazelton on warden’s lack of leadership
Attorney General Merrick Garland’s announcement comes after months of pressure on the Biden administration
FCC Florence, which includes the supermax Administrative Maximum Facility, is currently only 59% staffed
Two-thirds of the criminal cases against DOJ personnel in recent years have involved federal prison workers
“We would like to see the [BOP] act as if the employees are much more than disposable,” said union president Michael Meserve
“Blind spots, lost footage, and technical failures are unacceptable in federal prisons,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff
What was hailed by the DOJ in the 1970s as a “quantum leap forward from traditional jails” has become a blighted wreck
“This is a big win for the workers at USP Thomson,” said union president Jonathan Zumkehr
BOP’s policies for transgender inmates were thrust into the spotlight this week after the 2017 Minnesota mosque bomber, who id’s as trans, was sentenced
In one post, the YouTuber reads verbatim from emails Kelly sent while incarcerated in Chicago
A member of the Pakistani government called for her to be released from U.S. custody and returned to Pakistan
Until recently, the facility had been recruiting new staff; now, employees are being sent letters notifying them of a force reduction
He was serving a 90-year sentence for having a sexual relationship with an inmate, with whom he plotted to kill his wife
“I’d say 20 to 30% of the officers were dirty,” a longtime prison employee said
The deposit accounts have long drawn scrutiny from law enforcement officials, who warn they’re ripe for abuse and corruption
The move comes weeks after a former CO was arrested for sexually abusing inmates
Some facilities are allowing inmates convicted of terror-related crimes to lead religious services
The bureau looks to be shaking up its senior ranks following growing criticism of chronic mismanagement
Over the past 18 months, at least 29 inmates have escaped from federal lockups across the U.S.
“We were going to put the whole system on trial,” said a lawyer for Michael Thomas
During a recent sentencing, a federal judge lambasted the BOP for incompetence and the “disgusting, inhuman” conditions of their facilities
The incident raised questions about whether officials can adequately protect the more than 150,000 federal inmates across the U.S.
“The loss of these jobs would be a devastating blow to an already struggling community,” an official said
The judge said the Justice Department unlawfully rescheduled the execution
