Colette Peters, director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) since August 2022, has resigned amid significant changes to the Justice Department under President Donald Trump. Peters has been replaced by William Lothrop, the former deputy director of the BOP. Concurrently, a Biden-era executive order phasing out private prisons has been repealed as part of broader reforms.
Peters, appointed by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, was tasked with addressing longstanding issues within the BOP, including staff shortages, corruption, and abuse. Despite her reformist image, Peters faced criticism for her inability to produce results. Congressional Republicans highlighted delays in providing critical information, including basic data on staff numbers, and her reliance on talking points during hearings.
Peters’ tenure saw the closure of six federal prison camps and one female facility, including FCI Dublin, California, a prison plagued by sexual abuse scandals. Dubbed the “rape club,” FCI Dublin became infamous after the Justice Department was ordered to pay $116 million in damages to 103 women who reported abuse. Former warden Ray Garcia and seven other staff members are now serving prison sentences for sexually abusing inmates.
Despite testifying before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, Peters struggled to address core issues within the BOP. Inspections conducted under the Federal Prison Oversight Law, signed by then-President Biden in 2024, revealed poor conditions, including inadequate medical care, staff shortages, and unsanitary living environments. Peters expressed support for the law but noted that it lacked proper funding during her leadership.
In a significant policy shift, the Biden-era order to phase out private prisons has been repealed. This move aligns with Trump’s broader Justice Department reforms. The original executive order, introduced in 2021, aimed to reduce reliance on private prison contracts, which critics argued contributed to substandard care and oversight. The repeal signals a renewed approach to corrections management under Trump’s administration.
William Lothrop, the newly appointed BOP director, inherits an agency burdened by systemic issues. With increased scrutiny and Trump’s focus on reforming the Justice Department, the future of the BOP remains uncertain. The changes mark a pivotal moment in the federal prison system’s operations and oversight.
