Rep. Summer Lee Demands Answers from Bureau of Prisons on Lockdowns During Government Shutdown

Text of Letter

PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 24, 2025 — In light of the ongoing government shutdown, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, led a group of Members of Congress in calling on the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide a briefing on the status of operations within federal correctional facilities. In a letter to Director William Marshall, the lawmakers expressed urgent concern over the potential impact of the shutdown on people in custody, correctional staff, and the conditions within BOP facilities, particularly because of the increase in individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The letter outlines the significant risks posed by previous shutdowns, including the imposition of prolonged lockdowns, the interruption of medical, mental health, and programming services, and the reassignment of staff to duties that compromise safety and security. These conditions not only put incarcerated individuals at greater risk of physical and psychological harm but also undermine the effectiveness of BOP’s operations during a critical time.

“We write to request a briefing from your office on the status of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operations during this lapse, to ensure that people in custody are not subjected to prolonged lockdowns and that corrections staff are able to continue providing medical, therapeutic, and other life-saving care consistent with collective bargaining agreements,” the lawmakers wrote. 

The Members of Congress emphasize the importance of maintaining safe and humane conditions for all individuals in BOP custody, highlighting the increased number of ICE detainees in BOP facilities. With these record numbers of detainees, the shutdown’s impact on BOP operations could affect a larger portion of the incarcerated population than in previous years.

“Under previous shutdowns, BOP has opted to subject incarcerated persons to prolonged lockdowns, keeping them in solitary confinement and denying them access to care and programming, while staff are reassigned from traditional duties and made to work in conditions that put everyone in these facilities in danger,” the lawmakers continued.

The letter requests immediate answers to five key questions to help lawmakers assess the extent of the shutdown’s impact on BOP operations, including:

1. To what extent have medical, mental health, and programming services been interrupted in BOP facilities since October 1, 2025?
2. How many BOP corrections officers and support staff out of its total workforce are exempt, excepted, and otherwise assigned to duties during the ongoing shutdown?
3. Which, if any, BOP employees will continue to be paid during the government shutdown, and how will that be funded?
4. How many facilities and persons are currently subject to lockdowns?
5. How many BOP facilities being used by ICE for detention purposes are currently under lockdown?

The Members stress that the safety of both BOP staff and individuals in custody is crucial, and they are committed to working with the Bureau to ensure that the necessary resources and services are provided.

“It is our priority to keep staff and people in custody as safe as possible until the federal government reopens. This shutdown will only further amplify ongoing staffing shortages affecting the BOP,” the lawmakers conclude.

The letter is signed by Representatives André Carson, Greg Casar, Jasmine Crockett, Danny K. Davis, Madeleine Dean, Dwight Evans, Jesus Chuy García, Dan Goldman, Jonathan L. Jackson, Pramila Jayapal, Henry “Hank” Johnson, Robin Kelly, Ted Lieu, Stephen Lynch, Lucy McBath, Elizabeth Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, Lateefah Simon, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Mark Takano, Rashida Tlaib, and Nydia Velázquez.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs. Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.