Chief Kelley embarked on her career with the Bureau of Prisons in 2012, beginning as a Correctional Officer at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Florence, Colorado. Over the years, Chief Kelley has served in various critical roles, including SIS Technician, Lieutenant, and Intelligence Officer with the Sacramento Intelligence Unit, now recognized as the National Gang Unit. In 2022, she was selected as the Intelligence and Investigations Unit Chief at Central Office, a role that allowed her to further enhance the Bureau's investigative capabilities. Her leadership was further recognized in 2023 when she was selected as the Chief of the National Gang Unit. In this capacity, Chief Kelley spearheads agency-wide initiatives focused on gang and cartel-related intelligence and investigations. She is instrumental in developing national strategies aimed at combating criminal activity and formulating the Bureau's comprehensive gang management strategy. 

Burl Cain is a renowned correctional professional known for his transformative and innovative work in the Louisiana prison system during a storied career spanning more than 40 years. Gov. Tate Reeves appointed him as Commissioner for the Mississippi Department of Corrections effective May 21, 2020. Cain retired from the Louisiana Department of Corrections (LDOC) after leading an evolution of change at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP), once known as the “Bloodiest Prison in America.” Under his 21 years of leadership, LSP, the state’s only maximum-security prison, became one of the safest, most secure, and progressive maximum-security prisons in the nation. The prison houses more than 6,300 inmates with more than 4,000 serving life sentences for violent crimes. Two award-winning films about the prison were produced during Cain’s administration. 

Damon West, M.S. Criminal Justice, is a college professor, internationally known keynote speaker and 3 x Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His bestselling business book, The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change, was listed by Forbes’ in the “Top Twenty Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.”

His autobiography, The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World, vividly tells how he transformed the pot of boiling water that is a Texas maximum-security prison into a pot of coffee.

Dana DiGiacomo is the Assistant Director of the Reentry Services Division. Ms. DiGiacomo began her career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in May 2007, as a Unit Secretary at FCI Williamsburg (SC). She continued to serve in positions of increasing responsibility, including Contract Specialist at FCI Williamsburg and D. Ray James Correctional Facility (GA); Senior Contract Specialist and Supervisory Contract Specialist in Central Office (DC); Assistant Administrator, and later, Administrator of the Residential Reentry Management Branch (DC). In 2024, Ms. DiGiacomo was appointed as Senior Deputy Assistant Director of the Reentry Services Division in Central Office; and she was selected for her current position as Assistant Director of the Reentry Services Division in May 2025.

Dexter Graham is a Senior Officer Specialist at Federal Correctional Complex Coleman, United States Penitentiary 1. He began his federal career with the Bureau of Prisons in July 2010 at FCC Coleman, following six years of prior service with the Florida Department of Corrections. Throughout his tenure at USP-1, he has advanced from Senior Officer to Senior Officer Specialist and has consistently demonstrated strong leadership across a wide range of operational settings. For the past four years, Mr. Graham has also served as the elected Union Vice President for Pen-1, representing staff across the complex. This role has further strengthened his commitment to supporting the mission of the agency and the professionals who carry it out. 

William K. Marshall III is the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Director Marshall was sworn in on April 21, 2025, and assumed responsibility for the operation of 122 BOP facilities, six regional offices, two staff training centers, and 22 residential reentry management offices. He is responsible for the oversight and management of approximately 36,000 staff members and 156,000 federal inmates.

Director Marshall began his law enforcement career with the West Virginia State Police in Huntington, where he was honored as the 1995 National Association of Police Organizations West Virginia Police Officer of the Year. He transferred to the Interstate Drug Interdiction Team and worked with the West Virginia Worker's Compensation Fraud Task Force, as well as on drug task forces in Charleston and Parkersburg. 

Dr. Gabel began his Bureau of Prisons career in 2005 as a predoctoral psychology intern at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota. He went on to serve in a series of progressively responsible roles at FMC Rochester before being selected in 2020 as the North Central Regional Psychology Services Administrator. In January 2025, he joined Central Office as the inaugural Chief of the National Employee Wellness Branch, where he leads agency-wide efforts to strengthen staff health and wellbeing. He currently also serves as an acting Senior Deputy Assistant Director in HRMD focused on training. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply committed to advancing the wellness , resilience, and overall health of BOP employees. 

John Bartlett is the Regional Director for the Southeast Region. Mr. Bartlett began his career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2001 as a Correctional Officer at FCI Three Rivers (TX). He continued to serve in positions of increasing responsibility, including Senior Officer Specialist at FCC Forrest City (AR), Lieutenant at FCC Lompoc (CA) and FCC Beaumont (TX), Captain at FCI Big Spring (TX), and Complex Captain at FCC Pollock (LA). He later served as Chief of the Office of Emergency Preparedness in Central Office (DC), Associate Warden at FCI Marianna (FL), Warden at FCI Beaumont Medium, and Complex Warden at FCC Beaumont. He served as Acting Regional Director on an interim basis before being officially appointed to his current role as Regional Director for the Southeast Region in August 2025.

Note: Joshua J. Smith served as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the time this interview was recorded.

Joshua J. Smith served as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, overseeing 122 facilities, six regional offices, two staff training centers, and 22 residential reentry offices. He led a workforce of 36,000 and was responsible for the care and custody of 156,000 inmates. Sworn in on June 9, 2025, he brought a unique perspective shaped by personal transformation and a strong commitment to staff wellness.

BOP Chief of Facilities Management

Mistelle Starr is the Regional Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Ms. Starr began her career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2004 as a Teacher at USP Hazelton (WV). She continued to serve in positions of increasing responsibility, including Supervisor of Education at FCI Morgantown (WV), Executive Assistant at FCI Manchester (KY), Associate Warden at FCI Cumberland (MD) and FPC Alderson (WV), and Warden at FCI Waseca (MN) and USP Florence (CO). In September 2024, she was appointed Complex Warden at FCC Hazelton, serving in that capacity until her appointment as Regional Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region in September 2025.

As Regional Director (RD), Ms. Starr oversees operations across 21 facilities, including two medical centers, three female facilities, and three correctional complexes. She is responsible for managing more than 6,100 employees and ensuring the custody and care of approximately 25,900 inmates.

As Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, she is part of the senior leadership in the DOJ OIG Investigations Division, assisting in leading investigations into allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse. Barnes has been recognized as part of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and serves on Performance Review Boards.