(BOP) - On December 5, 2022, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Colette Peters hosted a listening session comprised entirely of people who were formerly incarcerated in the BOP. During this historic event, twelve people who released from custody within the last two years shared their experiences and concerns with the Director and members of her leadership team either in-person or virtually. This was the second listening session Director Peters has hosted; the first was in October with twelve groups of agency stakeholders.
Director Peters expressed her gratitude to each participant and reiterated her commitment to making positive changes for both staff and those incarcerated. The listening session was emceed by Dr. Alix McLearen, Acting Assistant Director for the Reentry Services Division. Other BOP leadership staff participating in-person included Acting Assistant Director and General Counsel James Wills, Health Services Division Acting Assistant Director RADM Chris Bina, Correctional Programs Division Assistant Director Catricia Howard and Senior Deputy Assistant Director Linda Geter. Regional Directors Melissa Rios and Heriberto Tellez and Acting Regional Director Shannon Phelps attended virtually. Also participating were Kristie Breshears, Director of Communication and Government Relations and Shana Grimes, Executive Assistant, Reentry Services Division. Seth Bogin and Rina Desai, Acting Co-Chiefs of Staff and Randilee Giamusso, Acting Chief, Office of Public Affairs were also in attendance.