Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper led Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Jason Crow (CO-06) to call on Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) William K. Marshall III to provide answers on the alarming changes in critical programs that address ongoing staffing shortages – including a rise in staff turnover and a reduction in retention pay – at FCC Florence. These programs are critical to maintaining a functional and safe environment for both inmates and employees at the largest employer in Fremont County Colorado. 

The delegation highlighted the raise in staff augmentation hours – when non-custody staff are pulled from regular duties to fill in as correctional officers – alongside the expiration of Direct Hire Authority and a reduction in the 25% retention pay bonus. 

“The employees at the Federal Correctional Complex in Florence have been overworked and faced severe understaffing issues for years,” said Pettersen. “A prison that is fully-staffed is a safe one – otherwise, these conditions lead to forced overtime and dangerous conditions for the workers and inmates. I’ve been fighting for these commonsense reforms since I came to Congress and will keep working with Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, the rest of the delegation, and AFGE to improve conditions at FCC Florence.”

In the letter, the Members wrote, “Retention incentives are a critical tool necessary to address the ongoing staffing shortages while maintaining a functional and safe environment. Reducing these incentives threatens to exacerbate staffing challenges and undermine recent progress. While the staffing issues persist, implementing these incentives has helped alleviate some of the most dire conditions, providing a much-needed boost to recruitment and retention.”

The Members continued, “As I have communicated to Bureau officials in the past, FCC Florence has proven, with direct-hire authority, the ability to bring on staff. The renewal of this authority, combined with the 25% retention would allow the complex to continue to hire at expedited rates, while maintaining staff in crucial non-correctional positions. These efforts would support a safe custodial environment, along with the provision of quality programs and services.”

Rep. Pettersen and Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, have been consistent advocates for the staff at FCC Florence, working closely with AFGE Local 1169, the union representing the facility’s workforce, to push for long-overdue staffing reforms. 

Full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.

Dear Director Marshall, 

I am writing to request information regarding the increased use of staff augmentation hours, decreases in retention pay, and the expiration of Direct Hire Authority at FCC Florence. These policies have directly led to a dramatic increase in staff turnover and threaten the safety of inmates and staff alike. 

According to AFGE Local 1169, between May 2023 and May 2025, Florence ADX used 28,000 augmentation hours. However, between May 2025 and July 22nd, 2025, nearly 14,000 augmentation hours have been used, with approximately 3,000 augmentation hours weekly being added. 

Additionally, it is my understanding the 25% retention incentive decreased to 12.5% earlier this year. Retention incentives are a critical tool necessary to address the ongoing staffing shortages while maintaining a functional and safe environment. Reducing these incentives threatens to exacerbate staffing challenges and undermine recent progress. While the staffing issues persist, implementing these incentives has helped alleviate some of the most dire conditions, providing a much-needed boost to recruitment and retention.

As I have communicated to Bureau officials in the past, FCC Florence has proven, with direct-hire authority, the ability to bring on staff. The renewal of this authority, combined with the 25% retention would allow the complex to continue to hire at expedited rates, while maintaining staff in crucial non-correctional positions. These efforts would support a safe custodial environment, along with the provision of quality programs and services. Despite this, Direct Hire Authority has once again expired, making the process of addressing these staffing shortages considerably more difficult and lengthy.

For the health and safety of inmates and staff at the FCC Florence, I urge you to reinstate both Direct Hire Authority and the 25% retention bonus. In addition, I request answers to the following questions regarding the use of augmentation hours at FCC Florence: 

1. How many staff are currently employed at FCC Florence? How many of those staffers have worked a shift at the facility within the previous year? 
2. How many augmentation hours have been used within the North Central BOP region in the past year? 
3. How many augmentation hours have been used within FCC Florence this year? How does that compare to similar institutions within the North Central Region? 

Thank you for giving your full and fair consideration of this request in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations, laws, and guidelines.