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.
“Congress now faces a choice to either stand up for Alcatraz and the stories it holds or allow our national parks to be sacrificed for political gain,” an official said
The court said expanding Bivens would undermine prison operations and duplicate established inmate complaint processes
Federal inmate search and lookup tools make it easy to find inmates, plan visits and send mail
The probe is looking into the overuse of solitary confinement and deaths of seven inmates over a two-year period
Gary Mohr would become the 11th person to lead the Bureau of Prisons since its founding more than 90 years ago
The legislation is the latest step by members of Congress to further oversight of the federal prison system
“After failing to protect them, the very least BOP can do now is let these women leave and begin to heal,” an official said
The Justice Department’s inspector general has yet to complete the investigation into lapses that led to the high-profile inmate’s death
Union officials filed multiple whistleblower complaints earlier this year
“They continue to say we are going to be fine and no one is in jeopardy, but we are very much in jeopardy,” the union’s president said
Security video showed the officer walking around, rather than through, a stationary metal detector when he entered the facility
The union is calling for more resources, including a mail scanner, to help reduce the risk to officers
Jemel Thompson is now facing six more years in prison if convicted
An official entrusted to end sexual abuse and cover-ups at a women’s prison allegedly may have taken steps to suppress a recent staff misconduct complaint
Union VP John Kostelnik says what’s happening is endemic of a coverup culture deeply ingrained in BOP leadership
“America’s prisons and jails are horrifically dysfunctional and too often places where brutality and criminality are prevalent,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff
An investigation last year found that about one-fifth of correctional officers hadn’t completed required basic training
The nationwide lockdown was prompted by fears of potential retaliation and concern violence could spread to other facilities
“The staff morale is the lowest I’ve seen in the 19 years I’ve worked for the bureau,” a union official said
BOP says staffing levels at the facility are “adequate to meet our mission"; the union says otherwise
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
