Stauber Sends Letter to Trump Requesting He Overturn Biden Administration’s Decision to Close Duluth Prison

January 23, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following President Donald Trump’s decision to fire Collete Peters from her position as Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) sent the President a letter requesting that he overturn Peters’ decision to close the Federal Prison Camp, Duluth (FPC Duluth).

“In the 11th hour of the Biden Administration, former Director Peters made the decision to close FPC Duluth, news that caught prison employees and our entire community off-guard,” said Congressman Stauber. “Not only did her decision disregard the livelihoods of 90 of my constituents, but it was also based on what appears to be misinformation. As the President and his team begin to undo the damage done by the last administration, I urge him to reverse this closure and protect the jobs of hardworking Minnesotans who I am honored to represent.”

Stauber’s letter to the President made the following points: 

  • During a December 12th call with former Director Peters, she pointed to failing infrastructure as a justification for the closure. However, a staff member with FBOP told the Congressman’s office that they had not received any Occupational Safety and Health Department warnings about insufficient infrastructure at this location. 
  • FPC Duluth employees were told they will be able to relocate to the Federal Correctional Institution in Sandstone, MN, yet this institution is fully staffed and will likely be able to take on only 15 of the approximately 90 employees from FPC Duluth.
  • The decision to close FPC Duluth violated contractual obligations with union employees. 
  • During the December 12th call, former Director Peters stated that budgetary concerns were also a reason for the FPC Duluth closure. In a December 17th letter to Peters, Stauber suggested cutting unnecessary administrative costs and senior bonuses would be a better option to save taxpayer money. Stauber never received a response to this letter.

Read Stauber’s full letter HERE.

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