AFGE is proud to celebrate Bureau of Prisons correctional officers during National Correctional Officers Week, which this year falls on May 5-11.
AFGE represents more than 30,000 BOP employees nationwide, and we are honored to get to represent and uplift the voices of correctional officers who put their lives on the line every day.
“We must acknowledge the sacrifices and challenges these men and women endure daily, often working in high-stress environments with limited resources,” said Brandy Moore White, president of the AFGE Council of Prison Locals. “Their role, while often overlooked, is invaluable to the functioning of our justice system and the betterment of society. Let us support and honor these brave men and women for their service, dedication, and commitment to upholding justice and maintaining the peace within our communities.”
AFGE thanks the officers for their commitment and dedication to the job and their service to America.
Terry started his career with BOP in 1990. He currently serves as president of local 3981 representing workers at Federal Correctional Institution Jesup, Ga., and Saff Training Academy (STA) in Glynco, Ga.,
Tell us about your correctional career
I have served my entire career as an officer and at the same duty station, Federal Correctional Institution Jesup, Georgia. I have served on numerous special teams and collateral duties throughout my career in federal law enforcement. I currently serve the staff of FCI Jesup and Staff Training Academy (STA) in Glynco, Ga., as their local union president. This duty has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my career. I strive with everything in me to make FCI Jesup and STA Glynco a better and safer place to work. I really enjoy my work and helping other staff, this is my greatest reward.
Why did you decide to join public service?
I joined public services because I grew up desiring to work in law enforcement. I started working at a Georgia state prison after graduating high school and then continued my correctional career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
What is the best part of your job?
I love helping other people.
What is the most pressing issue correctional officers are facing and what can your agency or Congress do about it?
Currently the most pressing issue in our agency is the lack of staff safety due to shortage of staff. Our staff need more pay to be competitive with the private sector and other federal agencies. We need more tools, resources and technology to protect the public from dangerous criminals.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
I wish people realized how much courage it takes a staff member to work inside a federal prison. Staff are locked in with criminals that have no respect or regard for human life. And we do a thankless job to protect society. Staff enter these federal prisons with only a set of keys, a radio, and a small can of pepper spray.
Manisha is a senior officer specialist at United States Penitentiary Victorville in California. She has been with the agency for four years.
Why did you decide to join public service?
The reason I joined a public service job was to be a part of a professional development team with advancement in career growth and stability.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job has been all the learning opportunities even during challenging moments but also the camaraderie I have built with senior staff and mentors.
What is the most pressing issue correctional officers are facing and what can your agency or Congress do about it?
Staff shortages and pay disparities compared to other federal, state or local law enforcement departments. The Congress can help us by supporting the H.R. 6711, the "Prison Staffing Reform Act bill" directing the Bureau of Prisons to complete the comprehensive review of understaffing across the Bureau and also H.R. 3199, the "Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act" to revise locality pay rates for all certain BOP employees.
With the cost-of-living expenses rising, it’s become more difficult for correctional officers to financially support their families. The Federal Bureau of Prisons can help its correctional officers by requesting the correct funding, to include the 25% pay increase for all GL-5 through GL-9 grades. The agency must address staff safety concerns too.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
Some things that I wish people knew about my job as a senior officer specialist are, there are a lot of opportunities in the BOP. The day-to-day job of a correctional officer itself can have challenging moments but also rewarding through the great teamwork, promotions, and also lateral movement opportunities for all staff [that allow employees to move from one position to another].
Joseph enlisted in the Army after high school and later went to Mansfield University and graduated with a degree in criminal justice. He was hired in 2006 by BOP at the United States Penitentiary, Waymart, Pa., and later employed at USP Canaan as a senior officer specialist. In 2014, Joseph became a steward with AFGE Local 3003 and currently serves as the local’s vice president.
Why did you decide to join public service?
I decided to join public service right out of high school. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I chose law enforcement as my career choice as it provides the sense of meaning and purpose in life I was seeking.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is the people I work with as they are all good, hardworking people.
What is the most pressing issue correctional officers are facing and what can your agency or Congress do about it?
There are many pressing issues correctional officers face in their daily job duties. Besides working in a predominately dangerous environment, staffing shortages, and often working long hours are pressing issues. The agency and Congress can help these issues by improving pay disparities the Federal Bureau of Prisons faces. Appropriately compensating correctional workers can help increase morale and increase staffing levels.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
I want people to know that mental and physical demands of being employed as a correctional officer are much more than people realize. I often hear the phrase, “well you signed up for this when you requested employment,” but no person can fully understand the daily stressors included in this position unless you have been in my shoes.
Kianah Hilliard has been with BOP for five years. She works at Federal Correctional Complex, Butner in North Carolina.
Why did you decide to join public service?
I started my correctional career back in 2016 at a state prison in North Carolina. I worked there in operations for three years. When I heard about the federal prison, I thought to myself why not? It can’t be that much of a challenge and change is always a challenge, and who wouldn’t be a better person than me. I decided I wanted more opportunities for myself and family. I wanted something that would afford me the opportunity of long-term growth, in which being able to move around within the bureau and up the ladder. I was hired in September of 2019. I’ve been in the Bureau going on 5 years as of now. The bureau has given me the opportunity to go back to school and complete 2 certificates in accounting and finance. I also received Officer of the quarter.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is learning new positions, learning new things within my position, and showing new staff things that I’ve learned within my five years of being in the bureau.
What is the most pressing issue correctional officers are facing and what can your agency or Congress do about it?
The most pressing issue we as correctional officers are facing is mandates and staffing issues. During the week it’s not bad but the weekend it could get bad if the person signed up decides to give the overtime back. Staffing is a big issue. If we had more staff that gives a bigger opportunity to staff that would like to cross-train.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
I wish people knew that this job has its own challenges like any job that you work. As a correctional officer, we wear many characteristics of empathy, being a team player, taking constructive criticism, leadership, and accountability.
Justin joined the Army in 2003 and completed two combat tours in Iraq. He was honorably discharged in 2007 and decided to continue his career in public service by going to work for Pennsylvania state corrections at State Correctional Institution Cresson. He worked at SCI Cresson for five years and then transferred to SCI Benner Township, where he worked for one year before moving over to the federal system. He began his career at Federal Correctional Institution, Loretto and has been there since August, 2013.
Why did you decide to join public service?
I was born and raised in a family that has been dedicated to public service and I wanted to give back to my community through service.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of being a correctional officer is the camaraderie I have with my fellow staff because of the support and assistance we provide each other.
What is the most pressing issue correctional officers are facing and what can your agency or Congress do about it?
Staffing is the most pressing issue facing correctional officers in the Bureau of Prisons. It is also my belief that our pay needs to change so that it is in line with other federal law enforcement in order to bring the staffing levels up to where they need to be.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
I wish people understood the toll this job takes not only on the officer themselves but their families. Our families sacrifice a lot in order for us to do what we do.
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