5 corrections policy trends for 2025

In the constantly evolving field of corrections, several critical policy trends are emerging that will shape facility operations in 2025. Overall, these trends underscore the need for greater accountability and transparency, and the necessity of good policies and processes to support day-to-day workflows.

For example, body-worn cameras (BWCs), while providing essential documentation, come with challenges related to cost and privacy concerns. Similarly, addressing the unique needs of transgender inmates requires comprehensive policies on safety, respectful treatment and access to healthcare — all while ensuring legal compliance and a safer, more inclusive environment.

Other policy considerations include the digitization of inmate mail, inmate transportation and over-detention. Together, these topics represent a shift toward more efficient, humane and legally compliant corrections practices.

1. Body-worn cameras

More and more, body-worn cameras are becoming a valuable tool in correctional facilities, but their implementation must involve careful planning and consideration of costs, training and policy development.

Some important points:

• Enhanced accountability and transparency: BWCs provide an audio/visual record of interactions between staff and inmates, increasing transparency and accountability. This helps document incidents and can protect both staff and inmates from false claims of misconduct.
• Reduction in use of force: Though further research is needed, studies have suggested the use of BWCs in correctional settings may reduce the frequency of use of force incidents, as well as injuries to both staff and inmates.
• Cost and logistical challenges: One of the biggest hurdles in implementing BWCs in jails is the cost, particularly the long-term expense associated with storing large volumes of data. Many jails struggle with budgets already, so the increased cost is a challenge.
• Impact on correctional culture: BWCs can influence the overall culture within correctional facilities by promoting professionalism among staff and improving interactions with inmates. They also provide a tool for training purposes, allowing officers to review footage to review and rethink their handling of various situations.
• Legal and privacy considerations: There are concerns about privacy — particularly in sensitive areas of correctional facilities — and the legal frameworks governing how and when footage can be accessed or released must be carefully managed to balance transparency with privacy.

2. Transgender inmates

Jail administrators and staff need to have a solid understanding of the best practices for creating a safe, respectful environment for transgender inmates while ensuring that jails also comply with legal requirements. Transgender inmates are often the target of mistreatment by other inmates — and sadly, by corrections staff as well.

Some important points:

• Safety and risk management: Transgender inmates face an elevated risk of violence and sexual assault. To protect transgender inmates from victimization and harassment, policies should restrict transgender inmates from being housed with inmates who pose a threat.
• Respectful treatment: It is important for staff to use an inmate’s preferred name and gender pronouns to foster respect and reduce tensions. Failing to respect gender identity can increase the risk of harassment and create legal liabilities.
• Housing considerations: State laws vary, but in general housing assignments should not be based solely on anatomy but also on gender identity, when appropriate, to reduce the risk of violence.
• Access to health care: Providing adequate medical care to all inmates is a legal requirement, and transgender inmates are no exception. Some states also require facilities to provide transgender inmates access to gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and mental health services.
• Staff training: Correctional staff need ongoing training to better understand the specific challenges and needs of transgender inmates. This should include learning to handle these inmates with respect and professionalism.

3. Managing inmate mail

Many correctional facilities are moving away from direct delivery of incoming inmate mail, instead scanning and then providing access to inmates via tablets or kiosks. While digitizing mail can improve security by reducing the flow of contraband, it introduces additional challenges — not the least of which is the cost.

Some important points:

• Contraband prevention: One of the primary reasons for scanning mail is to reduce the introduction of contraband, such as drugs that are soaked into paper and sent through the mail. Scanning mail prevents inmates from handling physical materials that could be used to smuggle these items into facilities.
• Loss of personal connection: Many inmates and their families express concerns that scanned mail feels less personal. Losing the ability to hold a physical letter has led to increased feelings of isolation among inmates.
• Privacy concerns: The use of third-party contractors to scan and store mail raises significant privacy concerns. These systems often collect detailed personal information about senders and receivers, which raises concerns about data security. Also, correspondence between inmates and legal counsel requires special handling.
• Quality issues: Many facilities (and the inmates incarcerated there) have reported technical problems with mail scanning, including poor-quality scans where letters and photos are blurry, missing or unreadable.
• Cost burden: Third-party scanning companies can be expensive. To offset the cost, many facilities charge for access to digital platforms or devices, making communication through emails or tablets more expensive than traditional postal mail.

4. Inmate transportation

When transporting inmates, there are several critical factors to help legally comply with safety and security standards. Clear, consistent transportation policies help minimize risks, ensuring officer and community safety, while addressing logistical and legal challenges.

Some important points:

• Medical and court transport: Inmates being transported for medical or court appointments must be securely restrained. This typically includes the use of handcuffs, leg restraints and waist chains, which restrict physical movement. For medical transport, inmates should not be informed of the timing of their medical appointments, to reduce the risk of coordinating escape attempts.
• Interstate transport: For interstate transfers — particularly for inmates accused or convicted of violent crimes — minimum standards are mandated by the Interstate Transportation of Dangerous Criminals Act. The U.S. Marshals Service, through its Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS), oversees federal prisoner movements across states.
• Use of restraints: The use of physical restraints like handcuffs, leg restraints, and waist chains is standard procedure during transport to reduce the risk of escape and injury. However, in certain medical situations, exceptions are made when restraints could aggravate an inmate’s condition, such as with pregnant inmates.
• Firearms policy: Officers responsible for inmate transport often carry firearms, but protocols are strict to prevent inmates from accessing these weapons. A second officer is usually assigned to maintain control of firearms during critical moments. Policies should be absolutely clear on the procedures regarding firearms during transportation.

5. Over-detention of inmates

Over-detention occurs when an inmate is kept in custody beyond their legally mandated release date. This can range from a few days to several months or (in extreme cases) even years. Over-detention is often exacerbated by systemic inefficiencies, and advocacy groups continue to push for better oversight and accountability to prevent it from happening.

Some important points:

• Causes of over-detention: Common causes include administrative errors, delayed processing of paperwork, lack of communication between courts and correctional facilities, and failure to update records after legal orders have been issued. In some cases, jails may continue to hold inmates even after charges have been dropped.
• Consequences for inmates: Over-detention can cause significant emotional distress, economic hardship and loss of employment opportunities for inmates.
• Administrative consequences: Inmates who are over-detained can file civil lawsuits for compensatory and punitive damages. These claims can be based on violations of civil rights, false imprisonment, or negligence. Over the years, several class-action lawsuits have resulted in substantial payouts.