Congress raises pay for prison workers stuck in lowest federal pay tier
S. 2083 — Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act · Filed by Bill Cassidy (R-LA) · 2 cosponsors · Introduced Jun 12, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill raises pay for Bureau of Prisons employees currently classified under the lowest federal pay locality ("Rest of U.S.") by reclassifying them to receive pay rates from the nearest higher-paying locality within 200 miles, or the highest rate available in their region if multiple localities exist nearby. The change applies to both salaried and hourly prison workers and takes effect 180 days after enactment.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is a pay-locality reclassification for a named federal workforce. It is a straightforward compensation adjustment with no hidden riders or private-sector carve-outs.
What the text implies
- The 200-mile radius rule may create uneven pay outcomes across the federal prison system, with employees in rural areas near higher-cost metros receiving raises while those in truly remote locations remain at Rest of U.S. rates.
- Increased payroll costs for the Bureau of Prisons may require budget reallocation or supplemental appropriations; the bill does not specify a funding source.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
Bureau of Prisons employees in Rest of U.S. pay localities