The Bureau of Prisons had a retention bonus to keep workers on the job as the agency was losing employees. Now, the retention bonus has become another casualty of DOGE.

Oregon’s two U.S. senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, voiced support for the retention bonus pay to address staffing shortages and low pay at the federal prison.

Recruitment and retention pay that has been used to address severe staff shortages at federal prisons across the country is being cut, according to the American Federation of Government Employees.

Retention pay has been reduced or cut for correctional officers at federal prisons, which could bring more staffing problems and exacerbate poor working conditions, according to the American Federation of Government Employees.