The Trump administration is taking measures to pause certain hiring activities at the Federal Bureau of Prisons, an agency beset by persistent understaffing issues. These staffing challenges have led to extended overtime hours and the necessity for non-guard personnel like nurses and teachers to function as prison guards.
The decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s initiative to reduce costs and the size of the federal government. Announced on Thursday, it was disclosed by the Bureau’s newly appointed director, William K. Marshall III. Although some union representatives described this action as a “hiring freeze,” the Bureau has disputed this characterization, indicating that they will still proceed with filling specific roles.
Marshall communicated through an email titled “Staffing and Hiring Decisions” that the Bureau of Prisons will keep current staffing levels until the end of the fiscal year on September 30. The Bureau will continue efforts to fill key positions, including correctional officers and medical workers, and will expedite existing job offers.
This announcement follows shortly after President Trump ordered the reopening of Alcatraz, the renowned but defunct prison located in San Francisco Bay, which ceased housing inmates over 60 years ago. The deteriorated state of the facility, now a tourist site, may require substantial financial investment for restoration—funds the federal prison system struggles to allocate due to an existing $3 billion repair backlog.
Recently, the Bureau has faced significant challenges, with 11 inmates dying since mid-March. An inmate in Miami was diagnosed with tuberculosis, alongside multiple COVID-19 cases. In February, it was conveyed to Congress that 4,000 prison beds are unusable due to hazards such as leaking roofs and toxic substances like asbestos and lead.
In his communication, Marshall emphasized that adapting hiring practices is essential to avoid more drastic measures as the Bureau confronts budgetary constraints. The approach aims to “maintain stability and protect our workforce’s livelihood to the fullest extent possible.”
Union representatives contend that the hiring freeze will likely worsen the existing staffing crisis, where over 4,000 positions remain unfilled. Previous administrative actions eliminated some incentives meant to attract and retain staff. For instance, a federal jail in Brooklyn was grappling with 150 unfilled positions despite a hiring drive aimed at increasing personnel by 20%. Prior to this, the facility was functioning at roughly half its designated staffing level.
Union leader Aaron McGlothin, representing workers at Mendota, California’s federal prison, expressed frustration, stating, “We’re already severely understaffed, and they took away our retention pay. Freezing an already depleted agency will lead to dire outcomes. We are exhausted from the constant demand to do more with less.”
When Trump first assumed office in January, he imposed a hiring suspension across most of the federal government but initially exempted the Bureau of Prisons and other law enforcement entities. The administration also implemented strategies to reduce probationary staff and proposed buyouts for thousands of federal employees.
A previous hiring freeze enacted by Trump in 2017 at the Bureau contributed to escalating vacancies and unsustainable overtime costs—a pattern persisting amid ongoing efforts to balance personnel needs. Correctional officers have frequently been compelled to undertake extended shifts weekly.
McGlothin highlighted the toll these policies have taken, remarking that “staff are mentally and physically drained from the constant ‘do more with less’ directives.” A surge in retirements followed Trump’s policy moves. “Tragic outcomes could arise from these decisions. We hope against any injuries or fatalities.”
An ongoing investigation has exposed severe, previously unreported deficiencies within the Bureau of Prisons, an entity with over 30,000 employees, 158,000 inmates, 122 facilities, and an $8 billion annual budget. The inquiry revealed serious misconduct, including staff-inmate abuse, numerous escape incidents, chronic violence, and critical shortages in staff hampering emergency responses.
In December, the agency decided to permanently close its women’s prison in Dublin, California, after widespread sexual misconduct by staff, including high-ranking officials, came to light. This move, along with idling six prison camps nationwide, addresses significant hurdles such as staffing shortfalls, degrading infrastructure, and budget limitations.