3 Texas Federal Prisons Targeted for Closure as Union Urges Congress to Intervene
- Donovan Bridgeforth
- Jul 2
- 1 min read
WASHINGTON D.C. (TXAN 24) — Three federal correctional facilities in Texas are among six nationwide slated for closure, prompting the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) to urge Congress to halt the plan, arguing it could jeopardize public safety, eliminate jobs, and worsen staffing shortages.
The facilities identified for closure are the low-security federal correctional institutions in Beaumont, Big Spring, and La Tuna, along with their associated satellite camps where applicable. According to AFGE, the Bureau of Prisons cited staffing shortages and aging infrastructure as reasons for the decision.
The union contends Congress recently approved nearly $5 billion for the Bureau of Prisons—including approximately $3 billion for personnel and $2 billion for infrastructure improvements—to address those challenges rather than reduce the agency’s footprint.
AFGE says the closures could affect about 500 employees, with the majority of those positions located at the Big Spring and La Tuna facilities. The union also noted that more than 1,400 Bureau of Prisons employees left the agency last year, many for higher-paying positions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In a letter to members of Congress, AFGE National President Everett Kelley called on lawmakers to block the closures, saying the federal investment should strengthen correctional operations rather than eliminate facilities. The union is also requesting greater transparency from the Bureau of Prisons regarding how the closure decisions were made.
The Bureau of Prisons has not publicly announced whether the closure plans will be reconsidered.
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