Fond Du Lac Times

Congressman Glenn Grothman has reintroduced the BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act to address staffing shortages at Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities. This legislation aims to cut bureaucratic red tape and improve safety for BOP personnel.

The bill comes in response to President Donald Trump's call to reopen Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, highlighting concerns about an overwhelmed prison system. The proposal is supported by five cosponsors and the Council of Prison Locals C-33, the largest union for BOP employees.

"One of the main hurdles in President Trump’s effort to reopen Alcatraz will be the ability to quickly hire Correctional Officers," said Grothman. "That is why Congress needs to quickly pass this legislation."

Chairwoman Elise Stefanik expressed her support: "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."

Brandy Moore White, National President of CPL-33, stated that insufficient staffing poses risks to both staff and inmates: “We firmly believe that the enactment of the 'BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act' into law will play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our prison facilities.”

The act seeks to provide direct-hire authority until each facility reaches 96 percent staffing levels. Shane Fausey previously reported a decline in BOP staffing from 43,369 employees in January 2016 to 35,000 by September 2022.

Grothman's bill is joined by Representatives Elise Stefanik, Pete Stauber, Mike Rogers, Juan Ciscomani, and Beth Van Duyne.