The Federal Bureau of Prisons continued its efforts to strengthen institutional culture and operations by hosting the USP Wardens Conference on February 11-12, 2026, at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. The event followed the successful launch of the first National Resource Team (NRT) visit at FCC Victorville in December 2025 and supported ongoing work to enhance high security operations nationwide.
From the outset, participants emphasized a shared sense of alignment and purpose. As one warden noted, "The conference made it clear to me that leadership across the BOP is aligned. From the Director and Deputy Director to the Regional Offices and Wardens, we are all focused on improving staffing and training, addressing needs, raising morale, and using common sense to make better decisions. These are real issues BOP-wide and it's good to see a proactive approach to fixing them." Another participant captured the atmosphere in the room by saying, "I've never sat in a room like this and felt this much support in my 24 years."
Building on the baseline findings from the Victorville assessment, wardens gathered to prepare for upcoming NRT visits and to advance standardized assessments, improved communication, and stronger leadership engagement. Over two days, participants discussed staffing, training, competency development, morale, programming, and infrastructure needs, with presenters emphasizing data driven decision making and resource allocation. Deputy Director Joshua J. Smith, who launched the NRT initiative, joined several sessions throughout the conference.
The conference also served as a forum for forward looking dialogue. One participant reflected that "Sitting with the agency leadership wasn't about complaining about the past; it was about contributing to the future of developing staff and preparing inmates for release into our communities." Another described the renewed momentum by saying, "Support unlike ever before in a lot of our careers, to do what is right! I am thankful, ready, and energized. I have seen major change to the positive in the last year, and I cannot wait to see what the next year holds in store! Get back to the mission."
Energy remained high throughout the event. That momentum carried into one of the conference's most engaging moments: a lively panel discussion between presenters and participants. The camaraderie was clear as former inmates and BOP staff shared insights, personal experiences, and light hearted teasing, highlighting the human side of corrections and the impact of lived experience on institutional culture. As one participant put it, "Corrections is a human business. Being a warden means giving people hope. [Leadership] isn't always about relying on tradition or doing things the way they've always been done. Being a warden requires empathy."
Senior leaders also led sessions on key operational priorities, including USP assessments, risk analysis, institutional culture, staff engagement, population management, human capital, training, and competency based leadership. Wardens collaborated to share best practices and identify common challenges, with a consistent focus on using data to drive measurable improvements. One participant emphasized the value of this exchange, describing the conference as "a much needed opportunity to have an open dialogue with agency leadership to focus on improving both the working environment for our dedicated staff and living conditions for the inmate population at the high security facilities. Participants focused on making the necessary changes in a consistent way across all high security facilities, to better serve the public interest and improve agency performance."
Director William K. Marshall III joined the conference on February 11 and returned on February 12 to offer remarks reinforcing the Bureau's commitment to strengthening institutional culture, supporting staff, and sustaining the momentum of the NRT initiative.
For many attendees, the event reaffirmed their sense of purpose. As one warden shared, "The conference was a long time coming event. This conference rejuvenated my beliefs and the reason why I became a warden. I feel we can finally get things heading in the right direction." Another warden with more than 30 years of service underscored the significance of the moment, stating, "As a supervisor with over 30 years at this agency I've heard a lot of talk, this is my first time seeing tangible results."
The conference also reaffirmed the goals established during the initial NRT assessment at USP Victorville, where staff input led to immediate corrective actions such as infrastructure repairs, equipment replacement, and staffing enhancements. By convening wardens ahead of future site visits, the Bureau ensured leaders are equipped with the tools, expectations, and support needed to drive meaningful, sustainable improvements.
The February conference marked another important step in the Bureau's nationwide effort to strengthen institutional culture, promote accountability, and create safer, more professional environments for staff and inmates. The Bureau remains grateful for the continued collaboration of the National Resource Team, regional leadership, and USP wardens as this initiative moves forward.