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BOP director urges renewed focus on victims, rehabilitation during Rights Week remarks
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Summary
William Marshall, director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, marked National Crime Victims Rights Week by highlighting the Bureau's role in supporting victims, emphasizing trauma-informed practices, and promoting rehabilitation and reentry programs as tools to reduce future victimization.
William Marshall, director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, spoke on the occasion of National Crime Victims Rights Week, urging renewed attention to victims and describing the Bureau's role in supporting survivors.
"National Crime Victims Rights Week offers a moment to honor victims and survivors while reaffirming our commitment to justice, accountability, and public safety," Marshall said, noting the observance's milestone 40th anniversary and the 2026 theme: "listen, act, advocate, protect victims, serve communities." He cited resources from the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime to help communities build local support networks.
Marshall framed corrections work around four pillars—accountability, deterrence, incapacitation and rehabilitation—and said each contributes to preventing future harm. He emphasized that rehabilitation programs, education, treatment and reentry preparation are evidence-based measures that "help reduce future victimization." He added that every individual who leaves custody "better equipped to live responsibly is 1 less person likely to cause harm."
The director also stressed the role of Bureau staff in carrying out these responsibilities. "For our staff, this responsibility is carried out every day," Marshall said, praising "vigilance, professionalism, and consistency" as directly affecting the safety of facilities and the communities the Bureau serves. He called for trauma-informed practices, staff training, and systems that respect victims' rights as essential components of a justice system that supports healing.
Addressing victims and survivors, Marshall said their strength and voices matter and reaffirmed the Bureau's commitment to prioritizing their safety. He closed by urging colleagues and the public to recommit to the theme and thanked staff "for the work you do every day to uphold justice and protect our communities."
