FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2025
February 26, 2025
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-639-6405/202-374-6491
[email protected]
Union Calls on Trump Administration to Reverse Pay Cuts for Federal Correctional Officers and Staff
Categories:
BOP
Bureau of Prisons slashing employees’ retention pay even as workloads increase
WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees says plans to reduce or eliminate retention pay for correctional officers and staff at our nation’s federal prisons will exacerbate staffing shortages and make working conditions less safe.
The Bureau of Prisons verbally notified employees across the country yesterday that it was reducing or eliminating the special recruitment and retention pay that has been paid to officers and staff at many federal facilities to help address dangerous understaffing levels. The retention pay adds between 10% and 25% to an employee’s salary.
“Correctional officers and staff have one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in the federal government. They are also tremendously underpaid – which is why the Bureau of Prisons has had to offer this additional pay to recruit and retain qualified employees,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said.
“Cutting their salaries makes zero sense – especially now, as they are being required to take on the added responsibility of housing undocumented immigrants detained by the Department of Homeland Security,” Kelley said. “I call on the Trump administration to reverse this foolhardy decision and to work with Congress to provide BOP with the funding it needs to keep our prisons staffed and our workers there safe.”
AFGE Council of Prisons Locals President Brandy Moore White echoed President Kelley’s remarks.
“Our members are working in extremely difficult and understaffed conditions. Removing or reducing retention pay is not just a financial blow, it’s a blow to morale. This decision is shortsighted and will only exacerbate the staffing crisis, leading to even more turnover, burnout, and instability in addition to additional funding to fill overtime for the vacant positions,” Moore White said.
Click here for the Council of Prison Locals’ full statement.
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