AFGE strongly supports legislation introduced in Congress that would address the alarming rate of suicides among correctional officers by increasing investments in and expanding access to critical mental health care services.
On May 13, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., introduced the Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2026 (S. 4514). It is a companion to legislation introduced in the U.S. House last year by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa (H.R. 2305).
The bill is named after Blake Schwarz, a federal correctional officer at FCI Thomson in Illinois who died by suicide in 2023 at age 26. He was a member of AFGE Local 4070 and left behind a wife, Michelle, who was a nurse at the same prison and was pregnant with their first child at the time of his death.
“Blake’s death is a tragic reminder of the immense emotional and mental strain our correctional officers face and the toll it can take on their well-being,” Sen. Duckworth said. “After meeting with Blake’s widow, Michelle, and visiting Thomson, it’s clear we must do more to support the mental health of our corrections officers as they work to protect the public. I’m proud to introduce the Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act alongside Congresswoman Miller-Meeks to help ensure no corrections officer faces mental health struggles alone and to help prevent tragedies before more lives are lost.”
Correctional officers have some of the highest rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and suicide among law enforcement professionals – and they have a suicide rate that is an estimated seven times higher than that of the general population. But seeking help is difficult due to lack of resources and the associated stigma around discussing mental health.
“As correctional officers, we face pressures and stress that few truly understand,” AFGE Local 4070 President Jon Zumkehr said. “This bill is about saving lives, supporting those who protect others, and making it clear that needing help is not a weakness. It’s time we provide the resources and protections our officers deserve.”
The legislation would create a grant program to help provide funding to the Bureau of Prisons, as well as to states and localities, to carry out mental health screenings, referrals, and support services for corrections officers. It also would establish safe harbor protections for officers seeking mental health treatment and create an advisory board to oversee the program and provide technical assistance.
“One of the biggest barriers first responders and public employees face is the fear that if they admit they’re struggling with a mental health crisis, they could lose their job. That fear keeps people silent, and silence is costing lives,” AFGE District 7 National Vice President Jason Anderson said. “The Safe Harbor Suicide Prevention Program changes that. It creates a clear, consistent pathway for workers to come forward, ask for help, and know they’ll be supported, not punished. It means agencies invest in recovery, provide the time and resources employees need to heal, and ensure that when they’re ready, their job is still there waiting for them.”
The legislation is a necessary step toward addressing a growing crisis, AFGE Council of Prison Locals National President Brandy Moore-White said.
“This legislation recognizes the unique mental health challenges faced by correctional workers and prioritizes safe harbor, prevention, and access to critical mental health resources. One suicide is too many, we have to act now,” Moore-White said.
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