NEW: Senators Shaheen and McCormick Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Address Chronic Staffing Shortages at Federal Prisons

(Washington, DC) – To address historic and persistent staffing shortages at federal prisons across the country, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and David McCormick (R-PA) are leading the introduction of theFederal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act. The bipartisan, bicameral bill would provide a 35% special salary rate increase to law enforcement officers in federal prisons nationwide—boosting recruitment and retention, eliminating costly overtime and burnout, enhancing safety and, ultimately, significantly improving operations. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08) and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02).
For years, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has faced dire staffing shortages that have worsened deteriorating conditions at facilities across the country. In aFebruary 2024 report, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General highlighted that the use of augmentation and mandatory overtime to compensate for staffing shortages in BOP facilities overburdened employees and may have contributed to staff fatigue, sleep deprivation, decreased vigilance and inattentiveness to duty.
“FCI Berlin has dealt with workforce challenges that have forced a thinly stretched staff to work unreasonable hours just to help maintain daily operations and make ends meet. It’s untenable—and there’s more we can do to support the Granite Staters working to keep our communities safe and provide for their families,”said Senator Shaheen.“Persistent and often dangerous staffing shortages at federal prisons nationwide cause safety concerns for BOP personnel and incarcerated individuals alike. Our bill will help to ensure that staff within our federal prisons are paid adequately for the critical work they do across this country.”
“Federal correctional officers put their lives on the line every day guarding some of the most dangerous criminals in our country, yet they are paid far less than their federal law enforcement counterparts. The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2025 is about fairness, safety, and retention, ensuring the Bureau of Prisons can recruit and retain qualified officers while restoring morale and enhancing public safety. I’m proud to support this bill and stand with the officers who keep our communities safe,”said Senator Dave McCormick.
Specifically, theFederal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act:
A copy of the bill text can be foundHERE.
In the Senate, the bipartisanFederal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Actis cosponsored by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Fetterman (D-PA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
TheFederal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Acthas been endorsed by the Council of Prison Locals C-33, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), the New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA) and the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Earlier last year, Senators Shaheen and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) alongside Representative Goodlanderurged DOJ and BOP to reverse the decisionto cut retention incentives provided to several federal corrections facilities across the country, including at FCI Berlin. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Associate Deputy Director of BOP, the lawmakers highlighted that the decision would worsen persistent staffing shortages that threaten FCI Berlin’s operational capacity and security.
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