(FBOP) - On April 15, 2024, Director Colette S. Peters hosted her second listening session with criminal justice stakeholders to provide them another opportunity to voice their concerns and present ideas for positive change within the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP). There are approximately two dozen groups that are actively engaged in advocating for prison reform and criminal justice innovation on behalf of the individuals (and their families) in the custody and care of the FBOP. Many, including representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union, Prison Fellowship, the Niskanen Center, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, the Aleph Institute, Prisonology, the National District Attorneys Association, the Center for Justice and Human Dignity, and the Faith and Freedom Coalition, were able to participate in the listening session, either in person or virtually.
Before listening to the advocates' remarks, Director Peters expressed her deep appreciation for their continuous support of the FBOP over the years, and reiterated her commitment to transparency, communication, and collaboration, welcoming their perspectives and suggestions. She also provided an update on steps the agency has taken during the past year to address concerns raised by prison reform advocates. The Director took the opportunity to announce the establishment of a new position, Support Coordinator, and introduced the four coordinators currently in place, and the fifth coordinator who was recently selected. Director Peters explained that these coordinators are tasked with fostering a higher level of communication and transparency. They will serve as liaisons among the Central Office, Regional Office, institution employees, adults in custody, family members, and external stakeholders.
Each advocate then provided insightful comments on a range of topics relevant to federally incarcerated individuals including medical and mental healthcare, use of restrictive housing, Federal Time Credits, compassionate release, accountability, and infrastructure concerns.
Members of the FBOP Executive Team were also in attendance, virtually and in-person, to listen to the concerns and ideas for innovation, including Kathleen T. Toomey, Associate Deputy Director; Seth Bogin and Rina Desai, Co-Chiefs of Staff; Chris Bina, James Wills, and Kevin Pistro, Assistant Directors for HSD, OGC, and RSD, respectively; Andre Matevousian and Amy Boncher, Regional Directors for NCR and NER, respectively; and Kristie Breshears, Director of Communications and Government Relations. Jenna Epplin, National Policy and Programs Coordinator for the Women and Special Populations Branch; Carl Bailey, Chief, Office of Public Affairs, and Randilee Giamusso, Scott Taylor, Donald Murphy, and Ed Weaver, Public Affairs Specialists were also in attendance.
Concluding the productive listening session, Director Peters restated her commitment to transparency and collaboration. She thanked the advocates for their participation, acknowledging their critiques and concerns, and assuring them that they would not be ignored.