Federal Prison Director Issues New Mission

Aurora, Colo. April 25, 2023.  This past Tuesday at the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) all warden training, Colette Peters the recently appointed director, released a new set of pillars for the agency.  They include new mission and vision statements and core values.  This could potentially be a positive step in a new direction for the BOP and a departure from the previous mission which arguably was a clear mission failure.

The BOP has been beleaguered with rampant scandals of sexual abuse, poor staff and prisoner moral, killings, and a disproportionately high rate of suicide among both staff and those in the BOP’s care.

Most recently the BOP was ranked dead last at 432 of 432 agencies for the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Ranking survey by the Partnership for Public Service in addition to being added to the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) “high risk” list of government operations with vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or in need of transformation”.

Although the language in the new policies share some similar wording albeit the new policies are refreshing and concise.  Instead of the former reading of, “protect[ing] society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prison”, it now reads, in part, “ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities”.  All aggrandizing positions such as, “the Federal Bureau of Prisons, judges by any standard, is widely and consistently regarded as a model of outstanding public administration…” has been entirely removed.  Now it states, “[The] highly-skilled, diverse, and innovative workforce creates a strong foundation of safety and security through the principles of humanity and normalcy, we develop good neighbors”.  As for the core values, Integrity, Respect and Correctional Excellence was carried over from the previous set but Accountability and Compassion were added. 

It remains to be seen if the new pillars will have any appreciable effect.  After all the old ones were not achieved.  What makes things different now?  In order for true change to take place the whole embedded culture must change from the top down. 

Director Peters has her hands full but a good place to start would be with the recruitment of properly vetted individuals that will not only embrace the new direction that she has put forth but also is proactive in cultivating a more healthy environment for all.  For a realized mission and vision everyone needs the BOP to succeed.  The corrections staff, prisoners, their families, as well as their future neighbors and society once released.  Will the future bring forth the vision that’s necessary to become good neighbors?  Can mission failure become mission success?  The sure way is for corrections staff and society to be fully on board and committed to act with empathy and compassion through the principles of humanity towards those in their care and custody.

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