WASHINGTON, DC (July 18, 2025) — This week, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) sent a letter to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III demanding updates on the severe staffing shortages and infrastructure issues that have been identified at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner.
“For years, officials from FCC Butner and the Bureau of Prisons have been made aware of the infrastructure and staffing issues at FCC Butner that put both employees and those incarcerated at the facility at risk,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “My office and I have met with these officials to discuss these infrastructure and staffing issues numerous times, and still I remain concerned that nothing has been done to implement these critical and much-needed improvements. It is imperative that employees at FCC Butner work in a safe environment, and that the Bureau is properly responding to these serious infrastructure shortfalls.”
“Congresswoman Foushee’s life-saving support and unrelenting focus on the urgent health and safety hazards facing staff at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC — including leaking roofs, outdated communication equipment, expired stab-resistant vests, an inefficient lift station, and other crumbling infrastructure — have finally brought long-overdue attention to these critical issues,” said AFGE Local 408 President Edwin Kirton III. “While there is still much work ahead, we are sincerely grateful to the Congresswoman and her office for standing with us as we continue the fight for safe working conditions, fair compensation, and a secure and efficient retirement system. From outdated and nonfunctional medical equipment to the temporary use of freezers for food service, to dangerously low staffing levels throughout the complex — her consistent advocacy has been a beacon of hope in the face of persistent and systemic challenges.”
The letter calls on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons to report its progress on addressing staffing shortages, detail its official reporting protocol for incidents and injuries of staff, and outline how the facility is addressing workplace safety complaints. The letter also requests updates on the facility’s backlog of maintenance repairs, asks whether FCC Butner has the necessary resources to operate during an emergency and if additional damage has accruedas a result of Hurricane Helene.
Specific complaints from Local AFGE 408 regarding the safety of staff and those incarcerated at FCC Butner include:
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Issues with the wastewater management system throughout the FCC Butner facility.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has received notices which specifically allege that sewage is coming through the floor vent in the dining hall at the Federal Prison Butner Camp.
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Deteriorating fire alarm system requiring staff to manually monitor and activate fire alarms.
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Outdated radios and stab-proof vests for staff, many of which are expired according to their 5-year performance warranty expiration.
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Damaged body alarms going unreplaced for multiple years.
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Inoperable food storage systems requiring external freezer and food storage systems.
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Attempts to reset expected staffing levels to current, understaffed levels.
In the 118th Congress, AFGE 408 Council of Prisons Local 33 met with Congresswoman Foushee to discuss the severe staffing shortages and infrastructure issues at the facility. To find answers, Congresswoman Foushee made an official inquiry to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in August 2023 and met with former BOP Director Colette Peters in January 2025, during which the Bureau shared its timeline for addressing infrastructure repairs and its strategy to resolve staffing and compensation issues. Since then, the Bureau has not provided any updates on its progress. The full text of the letter can be found here.
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