Duckworth Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Prevent Correctional Officer Suicide

Duckworth Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Prevent Correctional Officer Suicide

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2026 to expand access to critical mental health care services and increase federal investments for supporting corrections officers, whose suicide rate is estimated to be seven times higher than that of the general population. Last year, U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01) introduced the companion legislation of this bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill is named after Officer Blake Schwarz, a corrections officer at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Thomson in Thomson, Illinois, who tragically died by suicide at age 26.

"Blake's death is a tragic reminder of the immense emotional and mental strain our correctional officers face and the toll it can take on their well-being," said Duckworth. "After meeting with Blake's widow, Michelle, and visiting Thomson, it's clear we must do more to support the mental health of our corrections officers as they work to protect the public. I'm proud to introduce the Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act alongside Congresswoman Miller-Meeks to help ensure no corrections officer faces mental health struggles alone and to help prevent tragedies before more lives are lost."

"I've met with Blake's widow, visited the Thomson facilities he worked at, and spoken directly with officers who are carrying the weight of this job without the mental health support they need," said Representative Miller-Meeks. "Blake's story is a painful reminder that we must do better. This bill takes action to get corrections officers the resources they deserve, break the stigma around mental health, and prevent future tragedies. I'm proud to be leading the House version of this bill and thank Senator Duckworth for leading it in the Senate."

This legislation would create a grant program to help provide funding to the Bureau of Prisons, states and localities to carry out mental health screenings, referrals and support services for corrections officers. It would also establish safe harbor protections for officers seeking mental health treatment and create an advisory board to oversee the program and provide technical assistance.

This bill is endorsed by Michelle Schwarz, widow of Blake Schwarz and former nurse at Thomson Prison, AFGE Local 4070, AFGE District 7, National Fraternal Order of Police, Federal, Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Council of Prison Locals 33 and The Gray Matters Collective.

"Statistics are just the numbers with the tears washed away," said Michelle Schwarz, widow of Blake Schwarz and former nurse at Thomson Prison. "Unfortunately, my husband is a statistic now, but he's not just a statistic, he was a father, he was a husband. I want there to be no one else that goes through this, and I want everyone to be able to go home to their sons and daughters and never have to feel like there is no way out. Greater awareness and access to mental health resources could have made all the difference for Blake-and it can still make all the difference for so many others. That's why I'm urging lawmakers to support the Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act. We owe it to every family to give them hope and real help before it's too late."

"As correctional officers, we face pressures and stress that few truly understand. The reality is, our colleagues die by suicide at a rate even higher than police officers - and seven times higher than the general public. This is unacceptable. The Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act gives us a real solution: safe harbor protections that finally allow correctional officers to ask for help without fear of losing their careers. We have to end the stigma around mental health in our profession. This bill is about saving lives, supporting those who protect others, and making it clear that needing help is not a weakness. It's time we provide the resources and protections our officers deserve," said Jon Zumkehr, President AFGE Local 4070.

"One of the biggest barriers first responders and public employees face is the fear that if they admit they're struggling with a mental health crisis, they could lose their job. That fear keeps people silent, and silence is costing lives," said Jason Anderson, National Vice President of AFGE District 7. "The Safe Harbor Suicide Prevention Program changes that. It creates a clear, consistent pathway for workers to come forward, ask for help, and know they'll be supported, not punished. It means agencies invest in recovery, provide the time and resources employees need to heal, and ensure that when they're ready, their job is still there waiting for them."

"The Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2026 represents a critical commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of the brave men and women who serve behind prison walls every day. FLEOA proudly supports this legislation because no officer should suffer in silence, and no family should lose a loved one due to a lack of support resources," said Mathew Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).

"The Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2026 is a necessary step toward addressing a growing crisis. This legislation recognizes the unique mental health challenges faced by correctional workers and prioritizes safe harbor, prevention, and access to critical mental health resources. One suicide is too many, we have to act now," said Brandy Moore-White, National President of Council of Prison Locals 33.

"As someone who has faced my own battles with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, I know just how critical this bill is. We cannot continue to let those who protect and serve us suffer in silence. The time is now to strengthen resources and show our correctional officers that their mental health matters. More people cannot die for us to act. This is the moment. Please act now," said Haley DeGreve, Founder and Executive Director of The Gray Matters Collective, NFP.

Duckworth has been a strong advocate for investing in our mental health resources, especially for our first responders. In 2022, her bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act to honor the public service of police officers, firefighters and emergency responders by supporting the families of public safety officers who are lost to trauma-linked suicides was signed into law by President Biden. In March, Duckworth introduced her pro-Veteran, bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act to increase Veterans' access to innovative health care and ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is prepared to better care for Veterans with emerging mental health therapies. In April, she reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Uniformed Services Leave Parity Act that would help expand leave benefits for the millions of devoted health professionals serving in the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps and ensure they have access to the same authorized leave available to members of the Armed Services.

The full text of the bill is available on Senator Duckworth's website.

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