Trump Names William Marshall III Federal Bureau of Prisons Director

President Trump has appointed William 'Billy' K. Marshall III as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a choice praised by West Virginia officials. Marshall, a veteran of the West Virginia State Police and former state corrections commissioner, takes charge amid rising concerns about the federal prison system's challenges. His appointment has garnered attention both locally and nationally, with discussions on his qualifications and the state of the Bureau. Meanwhile, the U.S. Sentencing Commission has unanimously voted to advance significant amendments to federal sentencing guidelines, focusing on simplification and supervised release, which will affect numerous cases starting November 1, 2025. These developments come at a time when issues like mandatory criminal restitution and systemic inequalities in sentencing practices are being scrutinized. Together, these events highlight ongoing debates about criminal justice reform and the effectiveness of current policies.