Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025

This bill changes how the head of federal prisons is picked. The Director of the Bureau of Prisons would be chosen by the President and must be approved by the Senate, like many other top leaders at the Justice Department. The bill notes the Bureau has a budget over $7 billion, runs 122 facilities, cares for more than 176,000 inmates, and employs over 36,000 staff, which is why added oversight is needed.

Key points:

• Who is affected: The Bureau of Prisons, people who work in federal prisons, and people in federal custody; also the President and the Senate.
• What changes: The Director would no longer be picked only by the Attorney General. Instead, the President appoints and the Senate approves. The bill also adds a term of service for the Director.
• When: After the law takes effect, the current Director may stay for up to 3 months. The President may choose to nominate the same person under the new process. The new term rules apply to appointments made on or after the law takes effect.