Violent crime is falling — now is the wrong time to cut federal prison funding

Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct recidivism rate percentages. We regret the error.

Here is good news we don’t hear every day: Violent crime is falling nationwide, with murders on track to be the lowest since 1900. Credit goes to police officers on the street keeping our communities safe, as well as those working in federal prisons helping prepare people for successful reentry.

But a proposed budget cut is threatening to undo this progress. If it passes, Americans will be less safe.

Once among the nation’s worst-performing corrections systems, the Bureau of Prisons is reversing decades of neglect. Bureau of Prison Director William Marshall III and Deputy Director Josh Smith implemented initiatives to stop contraband, increase security and cut recidivism. Meanwhile, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is funding billions in long-ignored facility repairs. The result has been a more effective federal prison system, which has translated into safer streets. 

Unfortunately, some in Congress want to cut the bureau’s budget to $293 million below 2025 levels and $422 million below President Trump’s request. Because most of that funding supports staff and prison operations, the cuts would fall hardest on the front-line professionals who have helped make communities safer.

Officer recruiting and retention have long been issues for the bureau. The pay is low, and the job is tough. In fact, the average life expectancy of a correctional officer is 59 years old, largely due to the stress of the job.

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