BOP suspends operations at Terminal Island prison
The Federal Bureau of Prisons said Nov. 25 it is suspending operations at FCI Terminal Island near Los Angeles due to deteriorating tunnel ceilings and falling concrete that threaten the prison’s steam heating system. Director William K. Marshall III told staff the agency will relocate nearly 1,000 inmates to other federal facilities over the coming weeks, prioritizing proximity to release locations, while an assessment determines the facility’s future; an earlier engineering review identified more than $110 million in critical repairs over 20 years.
📌 Key Facts
- Director William K. Marshall III announced the suspension in a Nov. 25 memo to staff.
- Nearly 1,000 inmates will be moved to other BOP facilities; transfers could take several weeks.
- Safety issue cited: crumbling concrete in underground steam-heating tunnels; a 2024 A&E report estimated $110M in critical repairs over 20 years.
📊 Relevant Data
As of May 2025, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has more than 4,000 unfilled positions, exacerbating staffing shortages.
Bureau of Prisons freezes some hiring to 'avoid more extreme measures,' director says — Corrections1
As of November 15, 2025, the racial composition of inmates in the Federal Bureau of Prisons is 57.2% White, 38.2% Black, 3.0% Native American, and 1.6% Asian.
BOP Statistics: Inmate Race — Federal Bureau of Prisons
Black individuals comprise 34.9% of individuals in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, while Hispanic individuals comprise 30.7%, White 29.9%, and Other races 4.5%.
Individuals in the Federal Bureau of Prisons — United States Sentencing Commission
Racial disparities in federal sentences can be largely explained by differences in arrest offenses, criminal history, and other pre-charge characteristics.
Racial Disparity in Federal Criminal Sentences — University of Michigan Law School
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has a maintenance and repair backlog of approximately $3 billion, with a 2021 GAO report identifying $2.1 billion in deferred repairs posing risks to safety.
Deputy Director Of Bureau Of Prisons Describes Agency “On The Brink” — Forbes
In February 2025, the Federal Bureau of Prisons began accepting thousands of immigrants detained by the Department of Homeland Security into their facilities to support immigration enforcement.
Federal prisons to house ICE detainees as Trump furthers immigration crackdown — Government Executive